10 people investigated for suspected fraud after police raid 3 phone shops
Two men have been arrested following simultaneous raids at three mobile phone shops on March 5.
Employees at ARS Digital World, Univercell Mobiles Technology and Icares Mobile Services were targeted in raids for their suspected involvement in fraudulent registration of prepaid SIM cards.
An assortment of mobile phones, mobile registration documents and SIM cards were seized during the operation.
During the operation led by officers from the Unlicensed Moneylending Strikeforce, police arrested two men, aged 30 and 58, for their suspected involvement in the fraudulent registration of prepaid SIM cards.
Seven other men and a woman, aged between 27 and 50, are assisting with investigations.
Further investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly used information from legitimate customers to pre-register for additional prepaid SIM cards.
The police are currently investigating the 10 people for 3 offences, each of which is punishable with a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for a term of up to three years, or both.
The police said they "will continue to take enforcement action against errant mobile phone retailers who enable criminal syndicates" to "facilitate illicit activities such as unlicensed moneylending, scams and vice."
