By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of Information and Communications Technology revealed that scammers have begun employing online messaging applications in place of traditional SMS.
DICT Spokesperson Asec. Aboy Paraiso responded to inquiries about how scammers are leveraging online messaging apps to deceive people.
“They have evolved. Previously, they operated via cell phones and SIM cards. Now, they utilize internet-based or app-based communication devices like Viber and Messenger,” Paraiso stated on Wednesday (July 10, 2024).
“They no longer need SIM cards. For instance, if they had previously registered on Viber and their SIM card has been deactivated due to non-compliance with our SIM Card Registration Law, their Viber account continues to operate,” he explained.
This trend persists despite the implementation of the Sim Card Registration Act. Paraiso noted earlier that some scammers resort to foreign SIM cards to circumvent local regulations.
Regarding intervention, Paraiso mentioned that they have engaged with these messaging apps, but concrete actions are still pending.
(el Amigo/mnm)
