The Nigerian Communications Commission has warned Nigerians against purchasing pre-registered SIM cards.
The caution comes as part of the regulator’s ongoing efforts to combat the illicit sale and use of improperly registered SIM cards in the country.
The commission noted that selling pre-registered SIM cards poses risks to the person buying and national security.
The NCC stated this in an advisory note published on its website.
The NCC also highlighted the security risks associated with using pre-registered SIM cards, noting that they could be used for criminal activities such as fraud, kidnapping, and terrorism.
NCC said:
The commission urged Nigerians to purchase SIM cards from authorised dealers and ensure that the SIM card is properly registered in their name before use, Punch reports.
The statement added:
The NCC also warned that individuals buying or using such SIM cards would face severe fines or penalties.
Punch reports that the regulator emphasised the potential impact on business operations. Organisations using pre-registered SIM cards for official purposes risk operational disruptions if these cards are deactivated or flagged for non-compliance, affecting business communications and operations.
The advisory concluded:
In a related story, NCC called on Nigerians using five Google Chrome extension apps to remove them immediately.
The commission warned that the apps were designed to steal users’ information. Interestingly, the apps listed have been downloaded over one million times by users worldwide.
Proofreading by James Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at TimesNow.com.ng.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
