Rowegie Abanto

Photo illustration of a SIM card provided by mobile network companies in the Philippines.  Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SIM CARD REGISTRATION

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Authorities on Monday seized more than a dozen international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers, purportedly used for text blasting, which is often exploited in scamming activities, in Tarlac province.</p><p>An initial report from the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group indicated the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect in an entrapment operation along Burgos Street, Barangay Poblacion Norte, Paniqui town.</p><p>At least 16 SIM-based text blasters were confiscated from the suspect&#x27;s possession.</p><p>An IMSI catcher — commonly known as a “stingray,” rogue cell tower, fake cell tower, cell site simulator, or dropbox — works by imitating a legitimate cell tower and tricking nearby phones into connecting to it.</p><p>Once connected, the device can collect the IMSI numbers of mobile phones, allowing it to track their location and activity, as well as intercept text messages, calls, and data traffic.</p><p>This device can also be used for mass SMS broadcasting without the need for a database, SIM card, or WiFi.</p><p>The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) earlier warned that IMSI catchers could be operating in public spaces, tracking and intercepting mobile phone communications.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/22/dict-warns-of-rogue-cell-towers-in-public-spaces-1216">DICT warns of &#x27;rogue cell towers&#x27; in public spaces</a></div><p>Earlier this month, police also seized an IMSI catcher from a former security guard of an offshore gaming operator in Pasay City. </p><p>A Malaysian national was also arrested in January for the possession of the illegal device.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/21/ph-arrests-malaysian-tagged-in-text-scams-1116">Philippines arrests Malaysian tagged in text scams</a> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/7/police-seize-text-blaster-machine-from-ex-pogo-guard-1320">Police seize text blaster machine from ex-POGO guard</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong><br/><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NSZx2M06F-w?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Authorities on Monday seized more than a dozen international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers, purportedly used for text blasting, which is often exploited in scamming activities, in Tarlac province.</p>

Authorities on Monday seized more than a dozen international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers, purportedly used for text blasting, which is often exploited in scamming activities, in Tarlac province.

16 SIM-based text blasters seized in Tarlac

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16 SIM-based text blasters seized in Tarlac

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 24, 2025 02:28 PM PHT

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