SIMファームの歴史的禁止で不正防止が大きく前進

The public will enjoy enhanced protection from fraudsters and scammers due to a groundbreaking, first-in-Europe ban on the possession and supply of SIM farms, as confirmed today by the Fraud Minister Lord Hanson.

SIM farms are sophisticated devices that can hold numerous SIM cards, allowing criminals to disseminate scam texts to thousands simultaneously or establish large numbers of ‘verified’ online accounts. These malicious tools increase the risk of innocent consumers suffering significant financial losses.

Recent statistics reveal a 19% rise in fraud last year, with such crimes constituting over 40% of all reported crime in England and Wales. In response, the government is taking measures to thwart and address these evolving threats, aiming to ensure public safety as part of the Plan for Change. This initiative follows a pledge to unveil a new, comprehensive fraud strategy before the year’s end.

The new legislation will criminalize the possession or distribution of SIM farms without a legitimate reason, effectively closing a crucial avenue exploited by criminals to target the public. Offenders will face unlimited fines in England and Wales, and £5,000 fines in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The ban is set to take effect six months after the Crime and Policing Bill is granted Royal Assent.

This means that those who employ these devices to defraud the public will not only face stringent legal repercussions for their despicable actions but also substantial financial penalties.

Fraud Minister Lord Hanson stated:

Fraud destroys lives, and I am resolute in taking the necessary action to safeguard the public from these disgraceful criminals.

Approximately two-thirds of British adults report having received a suspicious message on their phones—equivalent to over 35 million individuals—which underscores the critical need to clamp down on SIM farms to protect the public.

This represents a significant advancement in our battle against fraud and will equip law enforcement and industry partners with the clarity required to safeguard the public from this reprehensible crime. This government will persist in taking robust measures to protect the public from fraud and ensure security and resilience through the Plan for Change.

Individuals concerned about becoming victims of fraud and seeking information on how to enhance their protection—particularly regarding the tactics employed by fraudsters—should visit Stop! Think Fraud – How to stay safe from scams.

Rachel Andrews, Head of Corporate Security at Vodafone UK, remarked:

Vodafone UK is dedicated to shielding all of our customers from fraud, including actions enabled by SIM farms. To date this year, we have blocked over 38.5 million suspected scam messages, and in 2024, that total reached over 73.5 million for the year.

The UK telecoms industry has collectively blocked over 1 billion suspected scam messages since 2023. However, we cannot combat fraud effectively in isolation; collaboration between industry and government is essential. This is a crucial step taken by the Home Office, and we wholeheartedly support the inclusion of SIM farms in the forthcoming legislation.

We look forward to collaborating on this issue.

Nick Sharp, Deputy Director for Fraud at the National Crime Agency, commented:

Fraud is the crime we are all most likely to encounter, and it inflicts considerable emotional and financial harm on victims.

We are aware that large-scale fraud is facilitated by SIM farms, which provide criminals with both the means and the opportunity to contact victims en masse with relative ease.

The ban announced today is highly welcome. It will equip us with a crucial tool to intensify our fight against fraudsters, target the services they depend on, and better shield the public.