By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

NABBED. The two Chinese nationals arrested during an entrapment operation inside a mall in Pasay City on Jan. 9, 2025. The two were arrested for illegally selling pre-registered SIM cards. (Photo courtesy of CIDG).

MANILA – Two Chinese nationals were apprehended by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for illegally selling pre-registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards during an entrapment operation in Pasay City.

The suspects were identified as Yingchun and Chunmei, according to a press release on Saturday.

They were arrested at about 5:15 p.m. during a buy-bust operation in front of a coffee shop inside a Pasay City mall on Thursday.

The operation followed intelligence reports about a criminal group allegedly selling pre-registered SIM cards used in illegal activities, such as online phishing, love scams, identity theft, telecommunications fraud, and other crimes requiring anonymity.

Authorities seized from the suspects 1,700 Globe SIM cards, 2,300 TM SIM cards, one genuine PHP1,000 bill, and 49 pieces of PHP1,000 boodle money during the operation.

The suspects face charges of violating Section 7 in relation to Section 11(g) of Republic Act 11934, or the SIM Registration Act. (PNA)