Police Nab Suspects in Illegal SIM Card Registration Scheme

Kampala police have apprehended three suspects in connection with an alleged illegal SIM card registration ring operating out of the New Park Wholesale Building in the city’s Central Division. The operation, which began after police received intelligence in late July, targeted the fraudulent registration and sale of SIM cards for major networks including Airtel, MTN, and Lyca Mobile.

Investigators revealed that the suspects are accused of using other people’s identification documents, including duplicated passport details and national ID cards, to register SIM cards without proper authorization. This practice allowed them to potentially register multiple SIMs under various identities.

During a raid on the premises, law enforcement officers seized a significant haul of evidence. Recovered items include numerous new SIM cards from Airtel, MTN, and Lyca Mobile, sophisticated fingerprint scanners, and official registration books belonging to Airtel and MTN. Several national identity cards were also found.

Police are working to verify the authenticity of the recovered identification documents and have reached out to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to identify the rightful owners. Furthermore, investigations are underway in collaboration with Airtel and MTN to determine if the suspects were authorized dealers or agents of these telecommunications companies.

The three individuals are currently in police custody, assisting with ongoing investigations. Detectives are focused on uncovering the full scope of the alleged racket and identifying any other potential accomplices involved in the fraudulent activity.

Further details were reported by The Observer (Uganda).