An Information Technology expert demonstrated that not just real identities, but even cartoon and anime characters could successfully register subscriber identity module (SIM) cards.
The act was shown by Mike Santos during a press conference organized by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Thursday.
In a live demonstration, Santos managed to register a Globe SIM card under the name of the famous cartoon character “Bart Simpson” from “The Simpsons” in less than three minutes.
A subsequent test, using a Smart SIM with the identity of the anime character “Monkey D. Luffy” from “One Piece”, had the same outcome.
PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz pointed out that such loopholes allow the widespread issue of pre-registered SIM cards, commonly created by independent contractors or entities affiliated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).
Cruz explained, “There are contractors focused on SIM registrations; others specialize in creating Facebook, e-mail, and Viber accounts. They cater to various needs of the scammers.”
Santos reportedly used a “GSM modem” to register about 64 SIMs, taking three minutes for each via software on a computer.
Cruz highlighted that the same devices are found with Pogos involved in online scams, including crypto and love scams.
As a countermeasure, Undersecretary Cruz recommends manual verification, suggesting a human touch.
He noted, “To truly ‘know your client’, a computer isn’t enough. Maybe we need actual people who can visually verify and interact with registrants.”
Cruz added that instead of easily accessible online images, such as a 2D picture of Bart Simpson, there should be a more rigorous verification system, perhaps asking for live images or direct interactions with registrants.