Spam SIM cards and fraudulent calls are a serious problem causing significant social instability. To address this issue, the Ministry of Information and Communications has implemented drastic measures, conducting nationwide inspections of agents and network operators to detect and handle violations related to subscriber information registration. Following directives from the Government and the Ministry of Information and Communications, network operators have committed to terminating contracts with agents and focusing only on controlled distribution chains. This could be a turning point in the fight against spam SIM cards, spam calls, and fraudulent calls. VietNamNet presents a series of articles on this issue to its readers.
According to police statistics, cybercrime has increased rapidly after the Covid-19 pandemic, while traditional crime has tended to decrease. Cybercriminals use unregistered SIM cards and fake bank accounts to carry out fraudulent activities and steal assets, posing significant challenges for investigators.
In late August 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed and issued a directive on strengthening measures to prevent, deter, and handle illegal lending activities. The directive noted that recently, new and disguised methods and tactics have emerged, exploiting high technology and operating under the guise of businesses to carry out illegal lending and debt collection activities, causing public outrage and affecting security and order.
The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Information and Communications to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security to apply population data to strengthen the review and verification of Internet and mobile phone subscribers, immediately eliminate "junk" SIM cards, and prevent individuals from exploiting them for illegal lending activities.
Stop developing SIM cards through dealers.
According to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Pham Duc Long, the issue of "junk SIMs" is causing many negative consequences for society, and the Ministry of Information and Communications will direct network operators to address this problem. Approximately 1.5 million SIM cards are issued to the market each month. Of these, about 80% are sold through dealers, while the remaining 20% are sold through chain channels such as electronics stores and through the network operators' own distribution channels.
“Currently, there is still a situation where agents hire people to register SIM cards with complete information that can be verified against the National Population Database, and then resell them to other users. In response to this situation, the Ministry of Information and Communications has worked with network operators and requested them to rectify the situation. All network operators have committed to the Ministry of Information and Communications to stop agents from developing SIM cards. Therefore, from September 10th, the focus will be solely on chain channels,” Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long said.
Instead of relying on agency channels, network operators will focus on developing their own distribution channels and reputable chain channels. Businesses will carefully consider which channels can ensure effective monitoring and control before developing subscribers. Only through strict subscriber development can the problem of junk SIMs and SIMs without proper registration be limited.
"The Ministry of Information and Communications will handle violations very strictly according to Decree 14/2022. If violations are detected, the subscriber development activities of the network operators will be suspended for 3-12 months depending on the severity of the violation," Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long emphasized.
Speaking to VietNamNet , a representative from VinaPhone stated that they have strictly followed the directives of the Government and the Ministry of Information and Communications to prevent the proliferation of "junk" SIM cards. VinaPhone has notified and revoked the SIM activation rights of its dealers.
Similar to VinaPhone, a representative from MobiFone confirmed that they have announced the termination of contracts with SIM card dealers. Customers can purchase SIM cards from dealers but must go to MobiFone's transaction points to activate the new SIM. In addition, MobiFone is deploying controlled chain channels such as The Gioi Dien Thoai (Mobile World) and FPT Shop… as distribution channels.
A representative from MobiFone stated: "Currently, there are still a number of SIM cards on the market that are registered under the names of hired individuals before being sold. Therefore, after September 10th, the phenomenon of dealers selling pre-activated SIM cards will still occur."
A Viettel representative also confirmed that they have notified SIM card dealers and revoked their right to activate new subscriptions. In addition, Viettel has selected The Gioi Dien Thoai (Mobile World) and Viettel Post as controlled chain channels for SIM card distribution.
SIM card dealers who violate regulations will soon face penalties.
Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long stated that there is currently a situation where many people are willing to register phone numbers under false names. This leads to a situation where a phone number with real registration information, including name and address, is actually in the hands of another user. Therefore, a segment of users has contributed to the problem of SIM cards not registered in the owner's name.
Previously, the Telecommunications Department (Ministry of Information and Communications) stated that it would strictly handle individuals who use personal information to register SIM cards for others. After the SIM card is registered and given to someone else to use, that person may exploit the information to commit illegal acts. The person whose name is on the SIM card will face legal consequences from authorities if their information is traced.
Recently, the Ministry of Information and Communications deployed 82 inspection teams to check compliance with laws on managing subscriber information for terrestrial mobile telecommunications services in many provinces and localities. The inspections were conducted simultaneously nationwide, targeting 8 mobile telecommunications companies, their branches, service points, and organizations and individuals registering a large number of SIM cards.
The subjects of inspection are organizations and individuals registering multiple SIM cards, and telecommunications service points that illegally use the information of organizations/individuals or use their own information to register, pre-activate multiple SIM cards, and circulate them in the market. This includes service points established by telecommunications companies.
The purpose of this large-scale inspection is to strictly address the situation of exploiting and using other people's information to register SIM cards, and intentionally registering multiple SIM cards for circulation in the market without transferring ownership.
In particular, the inspection also clarified cases of using SIM cards registered with other people's information. SIM cards that violate legal regulations on subscriber information management will be suspended from operation.
This is the second time the Ministry of Information and Communications has targeted large-scale inspections of mobile phone service providers. Previously, from October 1st, 2019 to November 20th, 2019, the Ministry conducted a large-scale inspection of mobile phone subscriber information management. Following the inspection, provincial Departments of Information and Communications fined 12 branches and 21 telecommunications service points a total of 417.25 million VND.
Speaking to VietNamNet on September 13th about this nationwide inspection campaign, Mr. Do Huu Tri, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Information and Communications, affirmed that the inspection campaign and activities aimed at eliminating "junk SIMs" will certainly have a strong impact on dealers. The inspection process has uncovered many violations by dealers. Therefore, the Ministry of Information and Communications' Inspectorate will certainly issue penalties to these dealers. In addition, supplementary penalties may be considered for some dealers.
Previously, the Telecommunications Department stated: “The Ministry of Information and Communications has requested telecommunications businesses to strictly handle violations in accordance with the Government's directives. During the inspection process, if violations are discovered involving intentional forgery of documents to register subscriber information, or the illegal exploitation and use of other people's information to register and activate SIM cards, causing consequences, depending on the severity of the violation, the inspection team will transfer the case to the police for further handling.”
Lesson 2: After the "strong medicine", will SIM card dealers "get in shape"?
Source
Comment (0)