Battling cybercrime: Challenges persist despite SIM Registration Law enforcement
FILE PHOTO
Despite the implementation of the SIM Registration Law, telecommunications subscribers in the Philippines are still grappling with an onslaught of text scams and unsolicited messages. These issues create opportunities for electronic fraudsters to engage in cybercrimes.
In their quest to evade legal scrutiny, cybercriminals are reportedly turning to over-the-top (OTT) messaging services and even Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards from international telecom providers.
These providers operate outside the jurisdiction of Republic Act 11934, commonly known as the SIM Registration Law, making it easier for them to perpetrate online fraud.
The OTT messaging services allow the transmission of messages over the internet, bypassing traditional cellular networks. This is accomplished through downloadable messaging applications, enabling users to send text messages without a physical SIM card.
While the SIM Registration Law has its merits, such as establishing ownership for accountability, Froilan Castelo, general counsel of the Globe Group, emphasizes that it represents just the first step in the battle against cybercrimes.
Castelo believes it is the initial phase of a complex and highly technical approach to combat online scams. He acknowledges that criminals will continuously seek ways to circumvent the law, underscoring the importance of staying ahead of their schemes through collaboration with various stakeholders.
Currently, Castelo’s team collaborates with the government, particularly law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police, to combat all forms of online offenses. Their joint efforts include the establishment of the PNP’s spam and scam reporting system, enabling the public to report text or call-related fraud.
Castelo highlights the significance of multi-stakeholder engagement and enhanced law enforcement initiatives in addressing the challenges posed by the government’s comprehensive campaign against online scams, which disproportionately affects hardworking individuals.
“We are actively cooperating with law enforcement agencies to verify data related to pre-registered SIM cards confiscated during their operations. Additionally, we are taking proactive measures to prevent further instances of cybercrimes,” affirms Castelo.
Following the conclusion of the registration period for existing SIM cards on July 25, and the subsequent five-day grace period on July 30 this year, Globe successfully deactivated unregistered SIM cards. Moreover, the company diligently combats spam and scam messages through a robust detection and SMS blocking system.
Globe operates a 24/7 Security Operations Center, backed by a substantial investment of 20 million U.S. dollars in a rigorous filtering infrastructure. The company also maintains a ‘Stop Spam’ portal, allowing subscribers to report spam and scam messages they receive.
The company has effectively blocked more than 2.2 billion spam and scam SMS messages from January to June 2023 alone.
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