Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one cyber criminal, Matthias Aya, after uncovering a new fraudulent SIM registration scheme in the state.

The suspect who resides at 34, Oron Road, Uyo, was arrested on July 23, 2025, at approximately 15:00 hours in Nung Udoe, Ibesikpo Local Government, according to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, on Saturday.

John said the suspect’s arrest followed a discreet investigation into a new and emerging crime trend involving fraudulent SIM card registration.

According to her, the suspect was arrested after intelligence revealed an unidentified man posing as a mobile SIM card registration agent.

The police spokesperson disclosed that a SIM agent was spotted capturing images and details of unsuspecting members of the public who came to register new SIM cards, adding that after collecting their information, the suspect would claim network issues and instruct them to return the following day, where he would have changed location.

The statement read, “The suspect was apprehended after intelligence revealed an unidentified man parading in various locations, posing as a mobile SIM card registration agent.

“He would capture the faces and details of unsuspecting members of the public who come to register new SIM cards.

“However, after collecting their information, he would claim network issues and instruct them to return the following day. When victims returned, he would often have changed his location, raising suspicions.

”One victim, (name withheld) of Nung Udoe, identified the suspect, leading to his arrest. Upon being apprehended, Aya admitted to using the National Identification Numbers (NIN) of innocent patrons to register new SIM cards, which he then sold to fraudsters and other individuals involved in nefarious activities for substantial sums of money.”

The command public relations officer listed the items recovered from the suspect to include: A data capturing device, three mobile phones, twenty used SIM cards, various filled forms, the sum of N10,000 and a small bag.

John, who noted that the discovery highlights a new and alarming crime trend in the area, advised the public to be vigilant and take precautionary measures to protect their personal information.

She urged members of the public to check their National Identification Numbers to ascertain if any unknown phone numbers are linked to their identity, also calling on them to report suspicious activity or instances of fraudulent SIM card registration immediately to the nearest police station.

To prevent falling victim to such schemes, she urged the public to only purchase and register new SIM cards at authorised and legitimate service provider outlets.

While noting that operatives have intensified efforts to track down individuals who purchased the fraudulently registered SIM cards from the suspect, she commended members of the public for their continued cooperation and encouraged everyone to remain alert to new criminal tactics. (Saturday PUNCH)