Manila: Telecommunications company Globe Telecom Inc. (Globe) on Tuesday lauded the arrest of two Chinese nationals for attempting to sell pre-registered SIM cards in violation of the SIM Registration Act.

According to Philippines News Agency, the suspects were arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), with 1,700 Globe SIMs and 2,300 TM SIMs confiscated during a buy-bust operation on January 9. Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo emphasized the importance of the operation, stating it was a significant victory against fraudsters and an indication that the SIM Registration Act is an effective tool against scammers.

The SIM Registration Act prohibits selling or purchasing pre-registered SIM cards, with penalties including imprisonment from six months to six years and fines ranging from PHP100,000 to PHP300,000. Castelo urged customers to register their SIM cards under their own names, with exceptions for those used by children or underaged users under someone’s care.

Castelo advised against accepting offers to register SIMs on behalf of others for money and warned users to avoid purchasing SIM cards with tampered packaging, as this may indicate previous use and repackaging. He stressed the importance of buying sealed SIMs from legitimate retailers.

He assured the company’s readiness to support the government’s efforts against fraud, reiterating Globe’s commitment to responsible SIM usage and its mission to ensure the safety and security of its customers in the digital age.