Vicious connection: why sellers of "left-wing" SIM cards are not afraid of bans
It has been more than a month since the new SIM card verification rules came into force. However, it is still possible to buy an anonymous number on the black market, even with the possibility of recovery in case of loss. How much does a SIM card cost for a fake person and how shady people manage to circumvent prohibitions — in the Izvestia article.
The offer is still valid
The efforts of legislators and law enforcement agencies to combat drops and complicate the verification procedure for SIM cards have not shaken the position of anonymous number dealers too much. Such conclusions arise after studying the supply in the electronics markets in the capital.
Izvestia correspondents found a tip-off to the merchants in the comments under thematic videos on social networks. It's no wonder to get lost in the big market in the west of the capital. To find the right line, you need to dig into interactive maps and ask around.
There are a lot of small display cases in the cubicle with the equipment we are interested in, but there are no price tags. You can only find out how much from the seller. They asked about the same SIM cards, and the seller silently pointed at the man from behind. He began to talk quietly about his assortment.
— There are all kinds of cards, mostly corporate ones. For example, if you accidentally hit grandma on the road, no one will find you," the merchant gives a rather strange example of the applied purpose of an anonymous number.
The issue price
A simple SIM card issued to a company (corporate) would cost us 4 thousand rubles. A "beautiful" room can cost several tens of thousands of rubles or more. The guy did not sell the card on the spot, saying that he needed to go somewhere for it, but left a contact number. He was obviously careful when dealing with unverified customers. However, he insisted that all his activities were absolutely legal.
According to legend, the correspondent was buying a SIM card for his anxious boss, and at the same time he was keeping an eye on a hidden video camera in the market. Recall that the free circulation of special equipment of this kind is prohibited in Russia. The "card" seller handed the guests over to his colleague. However, he was too shy to offer espionage equipment to strangers.
— Here there is a compact micro camera on the terminal, in fact, these are in ordinary phones, — the man explains in detail. — And all the improvements and camouflage of such things is illegal.
As one of the interlocutors told Izvestia, similar trading is conducted in other markets.
— The uncontrolled flow of "crooked" SIM cards falls on foreign citizens. For them, the black market of rooms is not black at all, many are in an illegal situation in our country. Dealers are not really afraid to sell cards to strangers, they usually act through trusted persons," the source says.
One-dayers
The distribution of corporate SIM cards is one of the most relevant "gray" schemes. Such cards are issued through one-day companies and corporate packages, explained Viktor Ievlev, head of the information security department of the Garda Group of companies.
— Operators connect corporate clients and issue large packages of SIM cards at once. This allows you to register one-day companies, perform various, including fraudulent, actions, and issue these cards at retail as anonymous, although on paper they belong to the organization.
There are other ways to get anonymous numbers.
— For example, this is the sale of cards on the side of mobile operators, so to speak, when there is an internal violator at the telecom operator, — says the expert. — This scheme works in the same way as with the unloading of personal data by employees of banks or government agencies. An attacker can bribe or convince an employee of a mobile operator to issue and transfer (sell) such cards.
According to him, the card can be issued to individuals in various ways: to people who have already died, to people without a fixed place of residence for a small amount of money, or to citizens whose data has been leaked through Gosuslugi or other services.
— The mechanics are similar to the scheme with droppers and bank cards. Formally, everything is registered to the rightful owner, but in fact, the management of the card has been transferred to third parties.
End anonymity
Only the state can combat the use and spread of such SIM cards through legislative measures, says Ievlev.
— This includes control over the use of SIM cards by mobile operators, and federal law No. 303-FZ of 08.08.2024, which limits the number of SIM cards issued to one individual.
He recalls that the purchase of such cards creates risks: from problems with law enforcement agencies and number blocking to theft of personal data and funds from accounts.
— "Left-wing" SIM cards appear due to leaks of personal data, corrupt employees and fictitious legal entities. They are popular with scammers and those who try to hide their activity. For example, if the number is "highlighted" in the investigation, law enforcement officers can contact both the official owner and the actual user. I'll have to explain where and how it was bought.
The telecom operator or government agencies can block the number if fake data is detected. In addition, if the fraudster knowingly had access to the purchased SIM card, he will be able to steal access to "Public Services" or bank accounts, and through them data and funds.
— It is safe and reasonable to use only those SIM cards that you officially apply for, - says a specialist in the field of cybersecurity.
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