SIM Box fraud war must not degenerate into media propaganda

SIM Box fraud war must not degenerate into media propaganda – Security Expert

(By Franck Atiase)

Tokoradi – Dr Isaac Amo-Antwi a Tokoradi based Social Worker has noted that the recent Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) anti-SIM Box fraud war deserve commendation but warn against degenerating into media propaganda war.

VoIP is a system by which some persons re-route international calls coming to Ghana through some boxes in which they have inserted local SIM cards, and they terminate the calls using those SIM cards, to make the call appear as a local call.

The danger of waging media propaganda war would lead to clouding the whole issues however Telecommunication companies must rather deal with their staffs that collaborate with the fraudsters, Dr Amo-Antwi told newsmen at Takoradi on Friday.

He explained that SIM Box fraud or VoIP commonly refers to the communication protocols, technologies, methodologies, and transmission techniques involved in the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet.

“Customers must be educated on how to protect their information criminals are hacking SIM cards Telcos customers whose bank accounts have also been compromised through other means, so they can intercept text alerts that banks send to verify transactions,” he said.

Dr Amo-Antwi noted that the situation gives SIM Card fraudsters cover to make several withdrawals without tipping off the account’s owner.

He said respective Telecom service providers should be hold accountable for any legally acquired SIM cards used for SIM Box fraud.

Dr Amo-Antwi explained that after deactivating more that 1.5 million unregistered and invalidly registered inactive SIM cards as a measure to over two years ago, among other things, to stem SIM-based unlawful activities, including SIM box fraud.

He revealed that the NCA said that SIM registration was one of the main measures to track SIM Box fraudsters and so after the deactivation of unregistered SIMs, the operators are expected to keep records of only legally registered SIMs with the identities of the owners.

Dr Amo-Antwi said Telecom Service Providers now have more questions to answer.

Government therefore passed the Electronic Communication Amendment Act, Act 786, 2009, which fixed the tariff for inbound international call at 19 cents (33Gp) per minutes, out of which 6 cents is for government and 13 cents goes to the telecom operators.

Some telcos have argued that the 19 cents fixed rate is rather encouraging SIM Box fraud because it is high, compared to the lowest flat local call tariff, which is currently 8.4Gp, so the fraudsters are able to make lots of money even if they charge less than 19 cents and terminate the call at only 8.4Gp.

The telcos therefore argue that reducing international call rates to the level of domestic call rates will automatically drive out SIM box fraudsters like it has in other countries like Nigeria.

The Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID), in collaboration with the industry regulator National Communications Authority (NCA) and other telecommunication service providers arrested two suspects allegedly engaged in a SIM Box syndicate.

According to the Police the suspects who have been operating for the past six months had allegedly diverted 2,000,000 minutes of international calls to Ghana which has resulted in a loss of $836,000 to both the Government of Ghana and the telecoms service providers.

Mr Prosper Agoblo, Director General of CID, said, “Persons engaged in these fraudulent activities should desist from doing so because the Police in collaboration with our stakeholders are up in arms against these fraudulent activities.”

He encouraged the general public to share information whilst assuring them of their anonymity.

The Minister of Communication Dr. Edward Omane Boamah who was also in attendance commended all the collaborators especially MTN, Ghana Police-CID, National Communication Authority and the Telecoms Chamber for their vigilance in bringing the culprits to book.

He reiterated the government’s efforts at supporting the reduction and total elimination SIM boxing through appropriate regulatory actions and reforms, and implementation of recommendations from ITU.

Between 2010 and August 2014, a total of 13 SIM box fraud cases have been recorded, and17 suspects, both Ghanaians and foreign nationals have also been arrested.

Cumulatively a total amount of $50million has been lost to both government and the telecom service providers.