Gov't urged to go after phone scammers

Gov’t urged to go after phone scammers

/ 11:31 PM September 20, 2024

NBI text scammers use Facebook sim card registration spam pimentel

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Advocacy rights group CitizenWatch appealed to the government on Friday to go after phone scammers instead of amending the SIM Card Registration Law.

In a statement, CitizenWatch convenor Orlando Oxales said the proposal to limit SIM ownership would mean nothing if law enforcement remains weak and incapable of going after fraudsters.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The impact of regulating the number of SIMs one can register will just be an inconvenience to fraudster[s],” Oxales said.

FEATURED STORIES

“It is so easy to bypass such restrictions because there are many ways scammers can gain other unique identities,” he added.

To prevent mobile-aided scams, Oxales suggested that the government focus on engaging cybersecurity experts and strengthen the government’s enforcement capacity to fight scams, disinformation, and other cybercrime activities.

Article continues after this advertisement

“To significantly enhance deterrence, we propose to increase both the imprisonment terms and fines for these fraudsters and organized cyber criminals such as removing the current option of choosing between imprisonment or a fine,” Oxales said.

Article continues after this advertisement

He also suggested that a database for ID verification be established to “cross-check the identity of applicants” for SIM registration.

Article continues after this advertisement

Republic Act No. 11934, otherwise known as the SIM Card Registration Act, was the first law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The law seeks to curb electronic communication-aided crimes like mobile phishing and text spam.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Pimentel wants hearing on text scams, SIM registration law ‘loopholes’

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: phone scam, SIM registration, SIM Registration Act

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.