NBI: 4 nabbed for selling pre-registered SIM cards, online scam

(NBI/screengrab) MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested three Filipinos for allegedly supplying and selling pre-registered SIM cards and a Nigerian customer for identity theft and computer-related fraud supposedly associated with an online “love scam” operation. The arrests were made amid the NBI Cybercrime Division (CCD)’s ongoing cyber surveillance and a thorough investigation into pre-registered SIM cards supposedly being sold to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, scam hubs, and illegal online lending application collection agents. READ: NBI probes ‘ghost’ flood control projects in Cayetano bailiwick Taguig Article continues after this advertisement In a statement on Tuesday, the NBI said CCD agents first conducted a series of entrapment operations at a mall in Pasay City on July 9, leading to the arrest of a woman selling pre-registered SIM cards. The subject later revealed through her social media account that another delivery was set for Makati City to a Nigerian customer who had purchased the prohibited cards from her on several occasions. Hence, NBI operatives conducted a follow-up operation on the same date and apprehended the foreign national in his condominium in Makati City. The Nigeran’s gadgets were seized and underwent forensic examination, which revealed that the foreigner “was involved in love scam activities using various social media platforms.” Meanwhile, the NBI said the Filipino woman also told the agents that her suppliers of the pre-registered SIM cards were already demanding payment from her. Article continues after this advertisement This led to the operatives’ follow-up operation to apprehend the two Filipino suppliers. READ: NBI may summon Dizon but only to shed light on SEA Games probe – Matibag Article continues after this advertisement During the follow-up operation, which took place in Paranaque City, the NBI-CCD agents arrested one of the suppliers after the subject handed over marked money disguised as payment for 300 SIM cards. Around 550 more pre-registered SIM cards were recovered in the operation. Another supplier was arrested in the City of Manila after the subject also handed over a supposed payment for a new set of 300 SIM cards. The NBI said 180 pre-registered SIM cards were also confiscated. The three Filipinos were presented for inquest proceedings for allegedly violating the SIM Registration Act in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The Nigerian national, meanwhile, also underwent inquest proceedings for computer-related fraud and computer-related identity theft. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.