The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) on Monday warned scammers were rushing to victimize SIM card owners as the deadline for its registration draws near.
ACG director Brig. Gen. Joel Doria said scammers were aware it will be difficult to dupe mobile phone users once the SIM registration was fully implemented.
“We noticed that the scammers are working double time because they know that sim card registration was being expedited,” he said.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. urged SIM card sellers to record and register the names of their buyers and check their IDs.
As of February 5, ICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said at least 28 million SIM cards have been registered.
The number is a little less than 20 percent of the 150 million SIM cards issued by telecommunication firms.
Uy, however, said scammers use SIM cards only once and then throw them away.
Users are given 180 days to register their SIM cards, or else face the risk of having these deactivated.
The deadline for SIM registration is on April 26.