THE online sale of prepaid SIM (subscriber identification module) cards is reportedly being exploited by criminals to commit a variety of crimes, including fraud, by using falsified identities.
It is said that this "SIM card mule scheme" can happen when prepaid cards are sold online, as the culprits exploit weaknesses in customer registration.
Criminals who buy these cards under false or assumed names can then use them in cybercrimes and can operate largely undetected, making investigations by authorities challenging.
Is this really happening as claimed?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil was quoted by Bernama on Monday (Sept 1) as saying that any cybercrime investigation can possibly reach a dead end because the SIM is registered under another person's name or a fake one.
"That's why crime rates continue to rise, as perpetrators are not acting under their real identities. Even geolocation tracking is often ineffective," he added.
Siraj added that weak controls over prepaid SIM registration also allow criminals to exploit various digital platforms, including online gaming applications.
He warned that if the issue is not addressed promptly, cybercrime will grow more complex and affect all segments of society.
Siraj stressed that curbing fraud in digital platforms is a shared responsibility.
Online platforms, including game developers, should step up efforts to educate users, particularly teenagers and children, on safe digital practices.
"Platforms should incorporate ethics education and digital literacy components, covering device and software operation, and even potential career paths in e-sports.
"Social responsibility is essential – if you earn revenue from users, you must also protect them," he added.
