Keep an eye on SIM cards

By Leon Engelbrecht, ITWeb senior writer

Johannesburg, 05 Oct 2007

Police have arrested corrupt staff employed in cellphone shops in connection with illegal SIM card swapping.

"Cellphone service providers are working closely with SAPS to identify the staff members involved in assisting with unauthorised SIM swaps," says police spokesman director Phuti Setati. The corrupt staff members are in cahoots with phishers and other cyber criminals.

"SIM swaps are done in order to obtain passwords and access codes sent from banks to their clients via cellphone, to enable legitimate clients to transfer money on the Internet from their account to other accounts," says Setati.

He declines to say how many corrupt employees have been arrested, or where or when. However, he notes that a considerable number of people have been arrested at shops countrywide since last year. Most have already appeared in court on charges of fraud, bribery and corruption.

"All cellphone networks have been targeted by these criminals, as it depends on what service provider is used by the legitimate client," adds Setati.

Cell C spokesperson Shenanda Janse van Rensburg told the Afrikaans daily, Beeld, the company was not aware of any such SIM swapping.

MTN communications manager Ntombi Mhangwani says the company is aware of the practice but has not yet been affected.

Two Vodacom subscribers contacted the Beeld when they lost R118 000 after a SIM swap. Vodacom chief communications officer Dot Field confirmed such incidents have taken place.