Registering SIM cards without proper user verification: 5 telcos fined

KUALA LUMPUR: Five telecommunication companies were slapped with 15 compounds worth RM750,000 by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for registering pre-paid SIM cards without verifying user information.

Heading the list with the highest number of compounds was Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd which was issued five compounds worth RM250,000.

This was followed by Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd with four compounds worth RM200,000, U Mobile Sdn Bhd - three compounds worth RM150,000, Tune Talk Sdn Bhd - two compounds worth RM100,000 and YTL Communications Sdn Bhd which received a compound worth RM50,000.

All compounds were served on Dec 4.

MCMC, in a statement, said action was taken against the companies based on an audit conducted in Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu in August and October last year.

Registering a SIM card without verifying a user's information is an offence under Section 127 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which carries a fine of not more than RM100,000 or two years' jail, or both, if found guilty.

"This is MCMC's continuous strict action to safeguard the interest of users from online fraud and scams which are on the rise.

"With these latest compounds, MCMC has issued a total 70 this year, worth RM3.45 million.

"This total is 16 per cent higher compared to 58 compounds worth RM2.9 million that were served in 2019 for the same offence," said MCMC.

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