Pre-activated SIM sale banned in anti-scam measure
The SIM card will be activated only after the service provider receives complete information about the customer issuing the SIM card.
Authorities on Thursday tightened the SIM sale policy, banning the sale of pre-activated SIM cards and requiring SIM activation only after receiving customer information.
There have been a number of cases of scam calls obtaining a large amount of money from individuals. According to police, money lost to scam calls amounts to MVR 4 million.
As per the earlier practice, any SIM purchased directly from Dhiraagu or Oooredoo or an agent will be pre-activated.
However, the Communications Authority of Maldives (KEM) has decided to change the policy and tighten the SIM sale policy from Thursday.
According to a statement issued by CAM on Wednesday, under the new policy:
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SIM cards will be in non-activated status when issued to customers
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The SIM card will be activated only after the service provider receives complete information about the customer issuing the SIM card
Inspector Yoosuf Luth from police's cybercrime department had earlier told Atoll Times that the biggest obstacle to identifying scam callers is that the numbers they use are registered in the name of different people. He also said that sometimes unregistered or unlisted numbers were used.
Luth said:
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Foreigners cannot be identified unless they are in Maldives
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If an unlisted or unregistered number is suspected of a scam call, it will now be blocked within 24 hours
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Policies must be formulated to cap the number of SIMs an individual can get to hold the owner of the SIM accountable
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More effective policies needed in selling SIMs to expatriates
