The Delta State Police Command has raised the alarm over the alleged fraudulent registration of SIM cards using unsuspecting Nigerians personal information, warning that victims could face criminal investigations and legal consequences for offences committed with such phone numbers.

The warning was given by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, in a security advisory on X on Friday.

He said some operators of small telecommunications outlets deceive customers during SIM registration, and collect their personal details under the pretext of registering their SIM cards.

According to Edafe, the agents secretly use the information to register different numbers, which could later be sold to individuals involved in criminal activities. He explained that a customer may go to register an MTN SIM card, answer questions about name, mother maiden name and other details, and leave without knowing that the agent registered another SIM card entirely with those details.

The police spokesman warned that the secretly registered SIM cards could subsequently be sold to fraudsters and other criminals, exposing the identities of unsuspecting Nigerians to possible criminal investigations. He said whatever offence is committed with that SIM card, the victim NIN, name and other important details will be linked to it, making it difficult to prove innocence.

Edafe said criminals could exploit such numbers to perpetrate financial fraud, kidnapping and ransom related offences. He warned that if a number is used to defraud somebody of millions of naira, or to collect ransom money, it will be difficult for the registered owner to say he was not aware, because investigators will trace the line back to the identity attached to it.

The Command advised members of the public to visit official offices of telecommunications service providers to check all phone numbers linked to their National Identification Numbers, and request the removal of unfamiliar lines. Edafe said any number found on the list that the owner is not using should be delisted immediately, describing that as the most important advice.

The Command disclosed that it was investigating a related matter, but declined to provide further details because the investigation was ongoing. It urged Nigerians to avoid roadside kiosks and informal agents for SIM registration, and to use only official customer service centres of MTN, Globacom, Airtel and other providers.