Police in Nigeria have recommended that citizens lock their SIM cards.
After one syndicate was arrested, Benjamin Hundein, a public relations officer in Lagos, tweeted the advice.
The spokesman revealed that union members pick phones and throw them away after removing the SIM cards.
According to information gathered from Inside Nigeria, they buy airtime using USSD banks, which generally do not require a PIN, using stolen SIM cards.
Hundeyin said the criminals proceed to empty their victim’s account one way or the other after gaining access.
“The only SIM cards that this organization never succeeded were the ones with SIM lock.
Activate your SIM lock today,” he insisted.
There is a significant increase in unauthorized transfers and bill payments, prompting banks to issue reminders to customers on how to protect their accounts.
