Illegal SIM Sellers
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, has escalated its efforts to combat digital fraud by launching a series of targeted raids on illegal SIM card operations in Quetta and Gujrat.
These raids are part of a broader crackdown aimed at dismantling unauthorized telecommunications networks and preventing the misuse of personal identification data for fraudulent SIM issuance.
In Quetta, authorities acted on intelligence reports and conducted a raid on a telecom franchise operating out of the Engineering Building on Zarghoon Road. The franchise was allegedly involved in the issuance of SIM cards without following the proper biometric verification protocols.
During the operation, law enforcement officials arrested the franchise owner, Usman Ahmed. A substantial amount of incriminating evidence was seized from the premises, including desktop computers, biometric verification system (BVS) devices, and a large number of SIM cards suspected to have been used in illicit transactions.
Simultaneously, in a separate operation conducted in Gujrat, the PTA’s Zonal Office in Lahore joined forces with FIA’s Cyber Crime Reporting Centre (CCRC) in Gujranwala to investigate another telecom franchise located on Bhimber Road. This raid was initiated following a complaint by a Karachi-based individual who reported anomalies involving their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) information.
Investigations in Gujrat revealed a disturbing scale of fraud. Authorities discovered that 433 SIM cards had been unlawfully issued using CNICs registered in Sindh.
Even more alarming, it was found that 57 of those SIMs had been activated using a single BVS device, raising serious concerns about the deliberate bypassing of standard verification measures. The franchise owner was taken into custody as the probe into these fraudulent practices continues.
The PTA has reiterated the importance of public vigilance, urging all citizens to regularly verify the number of SIM cards issued under their CNIC by visiting the PTA website or by sending their CNIC number to 668 via SMS.
This measure can help individuals identify any unauthorized SIMs linked to their identity and take corrective action promptly.
Officials have issued stern warnings to telecom franchises across the country, emphasizing that failure to adhere to biometric verification regulations will result in severe legal consequences. The ongoing operations reflect the government’s commitment to upholding cybersecurity standards and protecting citizens from identity theft and digital fraud.
