Page 73 - SAMENA Trends - May 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

UK Announces First Ban in Europe on SIM Farms

The UK government is set to ban the possession and supply of ‘SIM ations. Rachel Andrews, Head of Corporate Security at Vodafone
farms’ in the fight against fraudsters and scammers. SIM farms, UK, commented: “Vodafone UK is committed to protecting all our
sophisticated devices capable of housing numerous SIM cards si- customers from fraud, including activity enabled by SIM farms. So
multaneously, enable offenders to automate the sending of scam far this year we have blocked over 38.5 million suspected scam
text messages on a massive scale. They are also instrumental messages, and in 2024 that figure reached over 73.5 million for the
in creating large volumes of seemingly ‘verified’ online accounts, year. “As an industry, UK telecoms operators have blocked more
used for further illicit activities. The government’s action comes than one billion suspected scam messages since 2023. Howev-
amid statistics revealing a 19% increase in fraud last year. Current- er, we cannot fully tackle fraud in isolation, collaboration between
ly, fraud accounts for over 40% of all reported crime in England and industry and government is crucial. This is a really important step
Wales—highlighting the nature of the threat and the urgent need taken by the Home Office and we fully support the inclusion of SIM
for robust countermeasures. This ban forms a crucial part of the farms in the upcoming legislation.” Nick Sharp, Deputy Director for
government’s security-focused “Plan for Change” and precedes Fraud at the National Crime Agency (NCA), added: “Fraud is the
the promised publication of an expanded national fraud strate- crime we are all most likely to experience, and one that causes vic-
gy later this year. Under the proposed legislation, possessing or tims significant emotional and financial harm. We know that fraud
supplying a SIM farm device without a legitimate justification will at scale is being facilitated by SIM farms, which give criminals a
become a criminal offence. This aims to directly choke off a vital means and an opportunity to contact victims at scale with rela-
resource for organized criminals. Those found guilty will face strin- tive ease. “The ban announced is very welcome. It will give us a
gent penalties: an unlimited fine in England and Wales, and fines up vital tool to step up our fight against fraudsters, target the services
to £5,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The ban is scheduled they rely on, and better protect the public.” The government advises
to take effect six months following the Royal Assent of the Crime members of the public concerned about falling victim to fraud, or
and Policing Bill (PDF). This legislative change ensures that crimi- seeking information on protective measures and common scam
nals exploiting these devices will not only face prosecution for the tactics, to consult the official Stop! Think Fraud resource website.
underlying fraud but will also be penalized specifically for using
the enabling technology, adding another layer of deterrence. Fraud
Minister Lord Hanson emphasized the government’s commitment
to tackling this issue head-on. “Fraud devastates lives, and I am
determined to take the decisive action necessary to protect the
public from these shameful criminals,” he stated. Highlighting the
scale of the problem, Lord Hanson added: “Two-thirds of British
adults say they’ve received a suspicious message on their phone –
equivalent to more than 35 million people – which is why cracking
down on SIM farms is so vital to protecting the public.” The an-
nouncement has been welcomed by industry and law enforcement
partners, who view it as a critical step in disrupting criminal oper-

Ofcom Bans UK operator Global Titles Leasing

UK communications regulator Ofcom placed a ban on operators which could pose a security risk. The regulator explained criminals
leasing out addresses used for routing signalling messages known could exploit GT to intercept and divert calls and messages, using
as Global Titles (GT), a move it believes closes a technical loophole the example of SMS two-factor authentication codes used by
banks and retailers. It also noted in “extreme cases” they could
be used by criminals to track the location of individuals. Ofcom
acknowledges mobile network operators typically leased them
“largely to legitimate businesses who use them to offer mobile
services”, but cited worries about criminals being able to access
them, a threat also recognised by the UK’s National Cyber Security
Centre.The ban on new agreements starts 22 April, but for existing
deals it comes into force during 2026. Ofcom group director for
networks and communications Natalie Black described its move
as “world-leading action to tackle the threat posed by criminals
gaining access to mobile networks”, adding “leased Global Titles
are one of the most significant and persistent sources of malicious
signalling”.

73 MAY 2025