The Secret World of SIM Card Agents
In global fraud operations, the most indispensable element is undoubtedly the SIM card. Whether it's phishing text messages targeting unsuspecting individuals, large-scale telemarketing scams, or sophisticated online investment traps, these criminal groups rely on anonymous, disposable, and readily available SIM cards.
Sean, a Malaysian SIM card supplier active on the black market, reveals this "gray area": obtaining the right SIM card is crucial for fraud operations. From mass-registered US numbers to Indian SIM cards costing hundreds of dollars, criminal groups choose the most suitable type of card based on ease of use, stability, and the ability to bypass identity verification.
"If you know the right people, getting a SIM card isn't difficult," says Sean. "I can get numbers from almost any country in the world; it's not a problem at all."
Different SIMs, different uses
United States: The most sought-after number
Price: Wholesale price around $10.50, retail price around $14.50; affordable and available in large quantities.
Features: Extremely stable; unlimited calls and texts available for an additional $20, or with a cheaper plan that only accepts verification codes.
Target users: Ideal for large-scale scam centers that require extensive wiring for fraudulent activities.
Refund disputes: Often, out of 100 SIM cards, only 70 are able to activate WhatsApp, leaving 30 unusable. Buyers typically can't get a refund. Some buyers cause problems for the provider; Sean usually has to personally pay for the loss of those 30 cards, which is why he doesn't like selling US SIM cards.
Stable demand: On average, demand can reach up to 10,000 cards per week.
India
Price: Expensive, costing $100-$200 per card, due to stricter telecommunications regulations and high market demand.
Features: Although expensive, it plays a crucial role when Indian numbers are needed on certain platforms or in certain markets.
Refund Policy: Refunds are available for failed WhatsApp registration.
Malaysia
Most Popular Brands: Digi, Hotlink; popular on the black market due to ease of activation and wide coverage. Cost and Resale Price: The cost price of each SIM card is approximately RM9 (about US$2.25), while the resale price is approximately RM16 (about US$4).
Purchase Limit per Identity: A maximum of 100 cards can be registered per week, with a daily limit of 10 cards.
Minimum Black Market Purchase Quantity: Minimum purchase of 100 cards.
Singapore
Price: Highly sought-after on the black market, each SIM card costs between $70 and $120.
Reason: Singapore has stricter telecommunications regulations, making SIM cards harder to obtain and, naturally, the most profitable item.
Why do criminal groups need these black market SIM cards?
These SIM cards are almost never used for making calls or for general purposes; instead, they are used as tools for fraud and cybercrime.
One-time password (OTP) scams
Sean revealed that most black market SIM cards are used to register communication accounts like WhatsApp and Telegram. Once these numbers receive the verification codes, they can generate fake accounts, which are then widely used for:
Identity fraud
Phishing links and investment scams
Money laundering through fake banking apps
Anonymous cybercrime organizations
These SIM cards are typically only used for 1-3 months before being disposed of and replaced, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace.
Cross-border fraud and human trafficking
Many fraud organizations in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos coerce trafficking victims into committing online fraud. They rely on hundreds of anonymous SIM cards to evade police, contact victims, and transfer funds between illicit bank accounts.
Identity theft and fake accounts
Many black market SIM cards are registered using fake or stolen identities. Fraudsters use these numbers to open bank accounts, create cryptocurrency wallets, or launder money.
Online Gambling and Drug Trafficking
Anonymous SIM cards also frequently appear in underground casinos and drug trafficking networks, because they require untraceable communication channels to evade law enforcement.
Why does the black market thrive? Lax regulations and tacit approval from retailers.
Sean admits that the black market couldn't be so prosperous if
Sean, a Malaysian SIM card supplier active on the black market, reveals this "gray area": obtaining the right SIM card is crucial for fraud operations. From mass-registered US numbers to Indian SIM cards costing hundreds of dollars, criminal groups choose the most suitable type of card based on ease of use, stability, and the ability to bypass identity verification.
"If you know the right people, getting a SIM card isn't difficult," says Sean. "I can get numbers from almost any country in the world; it's not a problem at all."
Different SIMs, different uses
United States: The most sought-after number
Price: Wholesale price around $10.50, retail price around $14.50; affordable and available in large quantities.
Features: Extremely stable; unlimited calls and texts available for an additional $20, or with a cheaper plan that only accepts verification codes.
Target users: Ideal for large-scale scam centers that require extensive wiring for fraudulent activities.
Refund disputes: Often, out of 100 SIM cards, only 70 are able to activate WhatsApp, leaving 30 unusable. Buyers typically can't get a refund. Some buyers cause problems for the provider; Sean usually has to personally pay for the loss of those 30 cards, which is why he doesn't like selling US SIM cards.
Stable demand: On average, demand can reach up to 10,000 cards per week.
India
Price: Expensive, costing $100-$200 per card, due to stricter telecommunications regulations and high market demand.
Features: Although expensive, it plays a crucial role when Indian numbers are needed on certain platforms or in certain markets.
Refund Policy: Refunds are available for failed WhatsApp registration.
Malaysia
Most Popular Brands: Digi, Hotlink; popular on the black market due to ease of activation and wide coverage. Cost and Resale Price: The cost price of each SIM card is approximately RM9 (about US$2.25), while the resale price is approximately RM16 (about US$4).
Purchase Limit per Identity: A maximum of 100 cards can be registered per week, with a daily limit of 10 cards.
Minimum Black Market Purchase Quantity: Minimum purchase of 100 cards.
Singapore
Price: Highly sought-after on the black market, each SIM card costs between $70 and $120.
Reason: Singapore has stricter telecommunications regulations, making SIM cards harder to obtain and, naturally, the most profitable item.
Why do criminal groups need these black market SIM cards?
These SIM cards are almost never used for making calls or for general purposes; instead, they are used as tools for fraud and cybercrime.
One-time password (OTP) scams
Sean revealed that most black market SIM cards are used to register communication accounts like WhatsApp and Telegram. Once these numbers receive the verification codes, they can generate fake accounts, which are then widely used for:
Identity fraud
Phishing links and investment scams
Money laundering through fake banking apps
Anonymous cybercrime organizations
These SIM cards are typically only used for 1-3 months before being disposed of and replaced, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace.
Cross-border fraud and human trafficking
Many fraud organizations in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos coerce trafficking victims into committing online fraud. They rely on hundreds of anonymous SIM cards to evade police, contact victims, and transfer funds between illicit bank accounts.
Identity theft and fake accounts
Many black market SIM cards are registered using fake or stolen identities. Fraudsters use these numbers to open bank accounts, create cryptocurrency wallets, or launder money.
Online Gambling and Drug Trafficking
Anonymous SIM cards also frequently appear in underground casinos and drug trafficking networks, because they require untraceable communication channels to evade law enforcement.
Why does the black market thrive? Lax regulations and tacit approval from retailers.
Sean admits that the black market couldn't be so prosperous if
