(Photo courtesy of ACG)
MANILA – Agents of the Philippine National Police - Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) arrested a Taiwanese national and his two Filipino cohorts for selling close to 7,000 previously registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on Wednesday night.
In a report, the PNP - ACG identified the suspects as Cheng Tsung Huang (alias "Rodney Serrano”), Rosemarie de Juan and Rodolfo de Juan Jr.
They were under a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data for violation of Republic Act (RA) 8484 or the Access Device Regulation Act, in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Seized from the suspects were 13 mobile phones, three iPad tablet units, 6,976 assorted SIM cards, and assorted documents.
ACG spokesperson Capt. Michelle Sabino said the operation stemmed from information they received on the suspects' activities, which she said have been ongoing since August last year before the enactment of the SIM Card Registration Act.
She said they sell SIM cards to scammers who would then use them to carry out fraudulent activities.
"They buy SIM cards at PHP400, those that are registered, and verified digital wallets such as (virtual wallet) GCash. It can be used in a lot of scams like investment scams," Sabino said in an interview on Thursday.
The ACG said registered SIM cards are mostly bought from the provinces.
The PNP warns individuals selling SIM cards that they will also be held liable.
"You are liable because those are registered under your name. The police will go after you. It's like being a money mule," Sabino said. (PNA)
