Kuala lumpur: Cybercriminals are exploiting the online sale of SIM cards on e-commerce platforms to commit various crimes, including fraud, by using falsified identities. Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil said the fraud, known as the SIM card mule scheme, occurs when prepaid SIM cards are sold online, allowing criminals to operate undetected and making investigations by authorities challenging.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Siraj explained that any cybercrime investigation can reach a dead end because the SIM is registered under another person’s name. This anonymity in registration contributes to rising crime rates as perpetrators are not acting under their real identities. Even geolocation tracking is often ineffective in such cases.

Siraj added that weak controls over prepaid SIM registration also allow criminals to exploit various digital platforms, including online gaming applications. He warned that if the issue is not addressed promptly, cybercrime will grow more complex and affect all segments of society.

Siraj emphasised that curbing fraud in digital platforms is a shared responsibility. In addition to government initiatives, online game developers must step up efforts to educate users, particularly teenagers and children, on safe digital practices. He advocated for platforms to incorporate ethics education and digital literacy components, covering device and software operation, and even potential career paths in e-sports. He stressed the importance of social responsibility, stating that if platforms earn revenue from users, they must also protect them.