Cybercrimes using SIM cards up 190 percent

MANILA, Philippines — Cybercrimes perpetrated with the use of SIM cards have spiked by at least 190 percent this year.

Police data showed that there were 4,104 SIM card-aided crimes documented in the country from January to June, which is higher compared to the 1,415 cases during the same period last year with an increase of about 190.03 percent.

Around 3,587 of the cases are related to wallet apps while 445 are bank fraud incidents.

The remaining crimes involved online payments, cryptocurrency scams, text scams and false news.

During a press conference of the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame, Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia of the Anti-Cybercrime Group said that it is not only the Philippines that is experiencing a rise in cybercrimes.

“This is a worldwide trend, there is really an increase in cybercrimes,” he said in Filipino, noting that almost all people are using the internet.

To address the spike in cybercrimes, police have intensified their operations and investigation on these cases, resulting in an increase of about 294 percent in solved cases.

Data from the police showed that 3,901 cybercrimes were solved this year, a jump of 294.04 percent from the 990 cases solved last year.

The police have also intensified their information campaign to raise awareness on cybercrimes, such as financial fraud and online scams, as well as provided necessary support and training to their cyber cops.