Authorities Arrest 2 Individuals for Selling Pre-Registered SIM Cards Used in Online Scams
Authorities arrested two individuals in an entrapment operation for allegedly selling 240 pre-registered SIM cards believed to be used in various online scams.
Around 9:40 p.m. on the evening of October 9, 2025, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the Las Piñas Station Intelligence Unit, and the Station Anti-Cybercrime Unit launched a joint operation.
From the first suspect, police recovered 40 SIM cards and a cellphone, while the second suspect was caught with 200 SIM cards and another phone. These SIM cards were reportedly being sold online and were suspected to be linked to fraudulent activities.
According to PAOCC spokesperson Atty. Ernesto Tendero Jr., some of the SIM cards were still unused and attached to their SIM beds, while others had already been activated and used for scamming operations.
“Itong preregistered simcards na ito, yung ibang SIM cards nasa SIM bed pa, yung iba naman nakatanggal na, yung nakatanggal na ibig sabihing naggamit na, Like sa pogo kinukuha lang nila pwede pa gamitin ulit , yung ibang SIM card may sim bed, at may mga pangalan na naka register,” Tendero said.
He explained that some of these SIM cards came from different sources, including those previously used by online gambling operators, and were reactivated for illegal purposes.
Investigators also revealed that the suspects allegedly used artificial intelligence (AI) to generate fake identities and photos to register hundreds of SIM cards quickly. These pre-registered SIMs were then sold through social media platforms to scammers who use them to hide their identities while conducting fraudulent activities.
PAOCC emphasized that these illegally registered SIM cards are often behind the widespread text scams and online frauds that continue to victimize many Filipinos. The agency urged the public to report anyone selling bulk pre-registered SIM cards through their hotline at 0917-102-9906.
The arrest shows that the government remains firm in its fight against cybercrime and scams that exploit technology to deceive innocent people.
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