The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a strong warning to Nigerians about the risks of buying and using pre-registered SIM cards. The Commission noted that the practice is illegal and might result in severe consequences, including imprisonment.

The NCC highlighted that those who use pre-registered SIM cards may unknowingly get implicated in major crimes including identity theft, financial fraud, kidnapping, and armed robbery. It said that using these SIM cards jeopardises the accuracy of customer data and impedes attempts to successfully track criminals.

The Commission stressed, “Using pre-registered SIM cards undermines the reliability of data collected on consumers, making it challenging for authorities to identify and apprehend the actual perpetrators of crimes.”

The NCC further advised Nigerians to avoid purchasing pre-registered SIM cards and to verify that their SIM cards are properly registered in their names to avoid potential legal troubles.