The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians regarding the dangers of purchasing and using pre-registered SIM cards.

The Commission stated that the practice is illegal and could lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment.

The NCC reiterated that individuals using pre-registered SIM cards might inadvertently become implicated in serious crimes such as identity theft, financial fraud, kidnapping, and armed robbery. 

It said the use of these SIM cards compromises the accuracy of consumer information and hampers efforts to track criminals effectively.

In a statement, the NCC stressed, “Using pre-registered SIM cards undermines the reliability of data collected on consumers, making it challenging for authorities to identify and apprehend the actual perpetrators of crimes.”

The NCC urged Nigerians to avoid buying pre-registered SIM cards and to ensure their SIM cards are properly registered in their names to avoid potential legal repercussions.