Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated a nationwide operation targeting the illegal use of foreign mobile phone SIM cards, resulting in the arrest of 44 suspects and the recovery of over 8,000 pre-activated British SIM cards. The crackdown supports Pakistan’s broader efforts to strengthen its telecommunications security infrastructure, which includes mandatory biometric verification for domestic SIM cards.
The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), has led to raids across multiple cities including Multan, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Sukkur, and Abbottabad. Authorities have confiscated 8,363 British pre-activated SIM cards and registered 21 cases against illegal purchase and sale activities. The enforcement action builds upon the PTA’s recent initiatives, including the blocking of over 5,000 fraudulent phone numbers earlier this year.
“New methods are being used to harass people, and one way is the use of foreign mobile SIMs in cybercrimes,” said Waqaruddin Syed, Additional Director General of the FIA Cyber Crime Wing. “Mostly, British SIMs are being used in Pakistan, because these are easily available in the market, and are cheap, too. Criminals are using foreign SIMs extensively to hide their identities.”
Investigation findings reveal that the SIM cards were illegally imported into Pakistan and distributed through online orders, using cash on delivery services via social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The operation specifically targets the use of these SIM cards in various criminal activities, including financial fraud, kidnapping for ransom, child pornography, and terrorism. The issue has become particularly concerning as Pakistan has implemented strict biometric verification requirements for domestic SIM cards, pushing criminals toward unregistered foreign alternatives.
In Sukkur, authorities conducted a raid at the Clock Tower, resulting in the confiscation of two international SIMs and five pre-activated Jazz SIM cards, with the shop owner taken into custody. Similarly, operations in Faisalabad led to the arrest of two individuals involved in illegal SIM sales.
The Pakistani government has indicated plans to address this issue with British authorities. The FIA has called on social media companies to maintain user data associated with these SIMs, noting that strict action would be taken in cases where such SIMs are linked to terrorism or other serious crimes. The international cooperation will complement Pakistan’s domestic efforts to combat mobile-related fraud through its expanding biometric verification systems.
Sources: The Express Tribune, The Express Tribune, Business Recorder
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