Agencies collaborate to tackle SIM fraud

The Nigerian Communications Commission has partnered with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Identity Management Commission to tackle subscriber identification module fraud.

The collaboration is a crucial element of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to enforce its 2020 policy, requiring the mandatory linking of all SIMs to National Identity Numbers.

The telecom regulator said in a statement obtained by The PUNCH that the collaboration among those agencies had already yielded crucial results in identifying fraudulent activities related to SIM registration.

“Through collaboration with the ONSA and the NIMC, the NCC has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000,” the NCC revealed.

The commission stated that it remained committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, it issued a stern warning to all mobile network operators to comply with the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14.

Effective September 15, no SIM operating in Nigeria would be permitted without a valid NIN.

The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential not only for safeguarding national security but also for enhancing the trust and reliability of Nigeria’s digital economy, the regulator said.

By ensuring that every mobile user is properly identified, the policy aims to strengthen confidence in digital transactions, minimise fraud, and foster greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services.

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