Jail Term for SIM Card Misuse with New Laws

Credit: The Straits Time

Singapore is introducing stricter laws to regulate the use of SIM cards, with offenders facing up to three years’ jail or fines of up to $10,000 under the Law Enforcement and Other Matters Act, effective Jan 1, 2025. The move, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Dec 30, aims to curb the misuse of SIM cards in criminal activities, particularly scams.

Subscriber Responsibilities

The new laws impose stricter obligations on subscribers who distribute SIM cards registered under their names. They must take reasonable steps to verify the recipient's identity, location, and intent in using the card.

Subscribers can be held liable if they have reasonable grounds to believe the SIM cards will be used in criminal activities. This includes being jailed for up to three years, fined $10,000, or both.

Targeting Criminal Syndicates

MHA highlighted the rise in local SIM card misuse by criminal syndicates, which have adapted to measures introduced in 2022 to block overseas scam calls and SMSes. From 2021 to 2023, the number of local mobile lines involved in scams and cybercrimes quadrupled.

The new laws address previous enforcement challenges, making it an offence to:

Receive, supply, or possess unregistered SIM cards or those registered under someone else’s particulars.
Intend or have reasonable grounds to believe the cards will be used in crimes.

Prosecutors are no longer required to prove criminal intent if the SIM cards are linked to crimes or if a person possesses 11 or more cards.

Penalties for Offenders

First-time offenders: Up to three years’ jail, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Repeat offenders: Up to five years’ jail, a $20,000 fine, or both.

Errant retailers who facilitate fraudulent SIM card registrations will also face criminal charges, strengthening deterrence against such activities.

Retailer Accountability

Mobile service providers and their appointed retailers previously risked breaching regulatory obligations for facilitating fraudulent registrations. Under the new act, retailers will face criminal offences to discourage such practices.

Why These Measures?

Singapore has seen an uptick in cybercrimes and scams involving local SIM cards, despite earlier regulatory interventions. By holding subscribers, middlemen, and retailers accountable, these measures aim to disrupt criminal syndicates and reduce scam cases.

MHA encourages the public to ensure they comply with the new laws when handling SIM cards to avoid legal repercussions.

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