ACG UNVEILS SCAMMERS’ LATEST TRICKS IN THE POST-SIM REGISTRATION LAW ERA 2023.9.24……【Police】【Philippines,Pilipinas】Camp Crame, Quezon City, September 15, 2023 – The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) has raised the curtain on the ever-evolving tactics of scammers, following the full enforcement of the SIM registration law.
While we’ve seen a promising 50% decrease in SIM card-related crimes (from 2,318 cases one month before the full implementation to 1,134 cases one month after), it’s vital to remember that scammers are not resting. They are constantly evolving, creating new ploys to outsmart the system.
➤【菲律宾】打破壁垒：ACG揭秘后SIM注册法时代骗子的最新伎俩
奎松市克拉姆营，2023 年 9 月 15 日 – 在全面执行 SIM 卡注册法后，菲律宾国家警察反网络犯罪小组 (PNP ACG) 揭开了诈骗者不断演变的策略。
虽然我们看到与 SIM 卡相关的犯罪有望减少 50%（从全面实施前一个月的 2,318 起案件减少到一个月后的 1,134 起案件），但重要的是要记住，诈骗者并没有休息。他们不断发展，创造新的策略来智取系统。
SIM卡登记法实施后，骗子巧妙地为他们的诈骗活动制定了新的路线。首先，他们抓住了五天宽限期带来的机会，该宽限期允许个人即使在最初的截止日期之后也可以注册以前停用的 SIM 卡。此外，诈骗者已开始涉足购买新的、不活跃的 SIM 卡——他们无意注册这些卡。相反，他们使用这些休眠的 SIM 卡来捕获一次性密码 (OTP)，从而允许他们访问 WhatsApp、Telegram 和 Viber 等流行的社交消息应用程序。通过这些应用程序，他们通过 Over-The-Top (OTT) 服务建立互联网连接，从而逃避电信公司的审查。
为了规避 SIM 卡注册法，诈骗者设计了一种新颖的方法 – 获取不活跃的 SIM 卡。这些 SIM 卡在注册之前保持休眠状态，允许它们接听来电和短信，同时限制它们发起出站通信的能力。骗子利用这个机会抢走这些未注册的SIM卡，完全放弃注册过程。相反，他们依靠 Wi-Fi 网络进行连接。这些未注册的 SIM 卡充当诈骗者拦截 OTP 的网关，使他们能够在知名社交消息平台上创建帐户。随后，他们利用这些帐户向毫无戒心的个人传播垃圾邮件、链接和各种诈骗。这些欺骗性活动仍然隐藏在互联网匿名的面纱之下，通过 Over-The-Top (OTT) 消息传递平台提供便利。一旦达到目的，这些 SIM 卡就会被丢弃，不留任何来源痕迹。
另一个令人担忧的问题是诈骗者购买注册 SIM 卡和数字钱包账户。通常，陷入经济困难的个人会无意中向诈骗者提供实施欺诈行为所需的工具。由于一个人名下允许拥有无限数量的 SIM 卡，一些人利用这一漏洞，将多余的、未使用的 SIM 卡出售给诈骗者以获取经济利益。
PNP ACG 仍然坚定地致力于监控和打击诈骗者不断变化的策略，以维护社区的安全。PBGEN HERNIA 表示：“我们正在不懈地努力调查和打击这些不断演变的骗局，我们非常感谢公众在这一努力中的合作。保持知情和警惕使我们能够共同保护自己和我们的社区免受骗子的侵害。”

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS: ACG UNVEILS SCAMMERS’ LATEST TRICKS IN THE POST-SIM REGISTRATION LAW ERA
Created: 24 September 2023

Camp Crame, Quezon City, September 15, 2023 – The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) has raised the curtain on the ever-evolving tactics of scammers, following the full enforcement of the SIM registration law.

While we’ve seen a promising 50% decrease in SIM card-related crimes (from 2,318 cases one month before the full implementation to 1,134 cases one month after), it’s vital to remember that scammers are not resting. They are constantly evolving, creating new ploys to outsmart the system.

Scammers have ingeniously charted new courses for their deceptive operations in the aftermath of the SIM card registration law’s implementation. First, they seized the opportunity presented by the five-day grace period, which allowed individuals to register previously deactivated SIM cards even after the initial deadline. Furthermore, scammers have begun to dabble in the purchase of fresh, inactive SIM cards – cards they have no intention of registering. Instead, they employ these dormant SIM cards to capture One-Time Passwords (OTPs), granting them entry to popular social messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber. Through these apps, they establish internet connections via Over-The-Top (OTT) services, eluding the scrutiny of telecommunications companies.

In their quest to circumvent the SIM registration law, scammers have devised a novel approach – the acquisition of inactive SIM cards. These SIM cards remain dormant until registered, allowing them to accept incoming calls and text messages while restricting their ability to initiate outbound communication. Capitalizing on this opportunity, scammers snatch up these unregistered SIM cards, forsaking the registration process altogether. Instead, they rely on Wi-Fi networks for connectivity. These unregistered SIM cards serve as gateways for scammers to intercept OTPs, empowering them to create accounts on well-known social messaging platforms. Subsequently, they exploit these accounts to disseminate spam messages, links, and various scams to unsuspecting individuals. These deceptive activities remain cloaked in the veil of internet anonymity, facilitated through Over-The-Top (OTT) messaging platforms. Once their purpose is fulfilled, these SIM cards are discarded, leaving no trace of their origin.

Another cause for concern arises from scammers procuring registered SIM cards and digital wallet accounts. Often, individuals grappling with financial hardship inadvertently provide scammers with the tools they need to commit fraudulent acts. With an unlimited number of SIM cards permitted under one person’s name, some have exploited this loophole by selling surplus, unused SIM cards to scammers for financial gain.

The PNP ACG remains steadfast in its commitment to monitor and combat the evolving strategies of scammers to safeguard the community’s safety and security. “We are tirelessly working to investigate and combat these evolving scams, and we deeply appreciate the public’s cooperation in this endeavor. Staying informed and vigilant allows us to collectively shield ourselves and our communities from falling prey to scammers,” stated PBGEN HERNIA.

For media inquiries, please contact:
PCPT MICHELLE SABINO
Spokesperson, PNP ACG
0966-1835678