Anti-cybercrime group warns vs. sale of SIM cards with e-wallet accounts

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group warned against selling prepaid cards with verified e-wallet accounts which scammers use in their online transactions.

“Kapag ginamit ni scammers ito, kapag nag-money trace at sa inyo bumagsak ang perang ginagamit sa transaksyon, kayo po ang hahabulin namin,” PNP-ACG spokesperson Police Lieutenant Michelle Sabino said.

(When the scammers use the SIM card, and when we find that the transaction was under your name, we will go after you.)

According to Emil Sumangil’s “24 Oras” on Thursday, PNP-ACG has arrested a man for selling mobile SIM cards with verified GCash accounts in an entrapment operation inside a supermarket in Pasig City.

“Ang nakuha namin in his possession is 93 verified GCash accounts. Just imagine kung mayroon ka nang 93 victims,” Sabino said.

(What we got in his possession is 93 verified GCash accounts. Just imagine if you already had 93 victims.)

Based on investigation, syndicates purchase each SIM card with e-wallet accounts for P350 to P550.

Police said they are working with GCash to solve the problem.

In a statement, G-cash reminded its users to exercise vigilance as various online scams continue to proliferate.

It also urged users to stop the practice of lending or selling their accounts to receive potentially illicit remittances from others.

“This is commonly called ‘money rule’ scams. Account owners that are caught doing this illegal act can be prosecuted under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2021,” GCash said.

“Aside from warning its users against various scams, the leading e-wallet is also working with the National Bureau Investigation, the Philippine National Police- Anti-Cybercrime Group and PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to uncover online scams and apprehend perpetrators,” it added.

“So far, there have been a total of 17 arrested and imprisoned fraudsters,” GCash said.—Mel Matthew Doctor/LDF, GMA News