Source: newsthemegh.com
There are still 280,000 unregistered Merchant SIMs.
By the end of this month, users of such unregistered Merchant SIMs will have their access permanently blocked.
The Minister of Communications claims that some criminal organizations have purchased merchant SIMS to facilitate their fraudulent activities.
Communications and Digitalization Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful informed Parliament on the re-registration of SIM cards on Thursday, June 8, 2023, adding, “I have also been informed that almost 280,000 merchant SIMs have not been registered.”
A recent viral video that went popular on social media revealed that certain criminal networks had actually purchased merchant SIMs to enable fraudulent activity, she said.
The Communications Minister issued a warning, saying, “Let me reiterate once more that all unregistered merchant SIMs will be permanently blocked at the end of June 2023.”
She advised those who have been the victims of crimes to report them to the National Communications Authority (NCA). I’ll advise those who have been the victims of unlawful activity to report them to the National Communications Authority (NCA), and I’ll take steps to stop this practice.
The numbers of SIM card owners who started the re-registration procedure but were unable to finish it, resulting in their SIMs being blocked, will be restored once they are able to do so.
In a statement to the legislature, the minister of communications said: “I have also heard concerns that people’s SIMs were blocked even though they had registered them. According to what I know, a number of these complaints come from customers who failed to follow the process’s instructions and finish the second level.
Such individuals should get in touch with the NCA to register their SIM cards, and after properly registering them, owners will receive their numbers back.
However, she urged the owners of such SIM cards to take prompt action to avoid having their cards permanently blocked.
“They must move quickly since the NCA will declare when this moratorium ends and all unregistered SIMs will be permanently blocked from networks at that point.
“Please go register if your line has been blocked and you still need it.” Additionally, Ms. Owusu-Ekuful urged SIM card users who had their cards blocked despite going through the entire re-registration process to get in touch with the NCA.
However, there might be those whose SIMs are unintentionally blocked during full registration. Please alert the NCA so that a thorough inquiry may be carried out to discover whether or not this was indeed the case and why it occurred.