Do not buy pre-registered SIM card NCC warns

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned Nigerians on the dangers of  buying pre-registered SIM cards. The Commission said the practice is illegal and could lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment. It said individuals using these SIM cards might inadvertently become implicated in crimes such as identity theft, financial fraud, kidnapping, and armed robbery. The NCC said the use of pre-registered SIM cards compromised the accuracy of consumer information and hampered efforts to track criminals effectively.

It said by using such SIM cards, the reliability of data collected on consumers is undermined, making it challenging for authorities to identify and apprehend the actual perpetrators of crimes. The NCC said the message was to educate the public on the risks associated with pre-registered SIM cards and encourage compliance with legal guidelines to enhance national security.