As NATCOM Intensifies SIM-Box Fraud Crackdown
SIM Box Fraudsters in Police Net
The National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) in joint operation with the Sierra Leone Police Cyber Crime Prevention Unit arrested SIM Box fraudsters that are using SIM box fraud equipment to illegally terminate international calls in different areas in Freetown. The crackdown has been ongoing but reached a height during the past three weeks. The arrested suspects who are a blend of Sierra Leonean and foreign nationals are presently helping the police with the investigation.
According to head of NATCOM Cyber Crime Unit, Commissioner Frank Andrew Manja, the past three weeks saw the arrest of two suspects on Wellington Street with two GSM gateways. Three were also arrested on Janju Street, Brookfields with one SIM box but the main suspect still at large. On Shell Old Road, Kissy, one suspect was nabbed with illegal C-band installation. On Smart Firm, Wilkinson Road, one suspect was arrested with a VOIP device, one C-band, one GSM Gateway at two different addresses, while two suspects were still at large. At Lumley, Regent Road, one SIM Box, one VSAT, one electronic voucher SIM, one generator, four suspects were arrested. On Smart Lane, New England Ville, one SIM Box Gateway and two suspects were arrested while one still at large. Mr. Manja observed that if certain state institutions like the Office of National Security and the Standard Bureau Intensified their monitoring role in the sea, airports and other entry points in the country in the area of inspecting illegal telecommunication equipments imported, these illegal activities will be seriously minimized. Most telecommunication equipments brought to this country, he said are not typed approval. Commissioner Manja warned that SIM card sellers should stick to the conditions spelled out in the SIM Card registration regulation which state that a maximum of 3 (three) SIMs only should be sold to one subscriber.
The Spectrum Manager of NATCOM, Mr. Abdul Bah disclosed that SIM box fraud involved the installation of a SIM box machine in Sierra Leone and offshore simultaneously by individuals and organizations who buy hundreds of SIM and huge amount of top-up cards and in turn offering low cost calls to mobile phone callers. The SIM cards, he said are used to channel national and international calls away from the international gateway, costing the country millions of revenue loss.
When interviewed in light of the ongoing operations, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Tommy Ziezer said any illegal equipment caught is irretrievable and that the culprits are tried in line with the full weight of the law. He said however that some suspects are on bail because of the length of time spent in C.I.D cells.
By Osman Larry Fofanah
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