BW FILE PHOTOA PHILIPPINE senator has filed a resolution that seeks to look into the illegal trade of devices such as cell site simulators, used to steal and intercept calls and messages amid an influx of scam and hacking incidents in the country.
Senate Resolution No. 1294, filed by Senator Mark A. Villar, seeks a probe into the trade of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers which are used to track locations, intercept calls and messages, and leak sensitive financial information.
“The proliferation of these devices is directly linked to modern scams such as “smishing,” which involves text messages impersonating legitimate financial institutions to trick recipients into providing sensitive financial information such as account numbers and passwords,” according to a copy of the resolution.
He said smishing scams have resulted in about P460 billion in losses to Filipinos from 2023 to last year.
Citing a Jan. 21 arrest of a Malaysian national over the supply of these IMSI devices, the senator said it is crucial to nab individuals behind this illegal trade since these can be hard to detect and could lead to more criminals stealing data.
“While the arrest represents a crucial step in curbing the root causes 18 of scam-related activities, it highlights the need to review existing laws, the sufficiency of regulations on rogue technologies, and enhancement of law enforcement’s ability to detect and monitor these illicit activities devices,” Mr. Villar said.
Last year, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed into a law a bill that imposed tougher penalties on those using financial accounts to commit crimes. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
