Minister of State for Security (): I am today publishing a response to the
consultation on the banning of SIM farms in the UK and
introducing legislation that would criminalise the possession and
supply of SIM farms used for fraud.
In May 2023, we consulted on a potential ban on SIM farms,
defined as devices that can make calls and texts and hold more
than 4 SIM cards at one time. We are grateful to those who took
time to respond to the consultation.
Responses to the consultation support the Government's approach
to addressing the issue of SIM farm equipment being used to
perpetrate fraud. Respondents agreed that the ban will raise the
barrier to entry for those engaging in illegal activities, making
it more difficult for them to obtain and exploit SIM farms for
fraud.
This consultation has informed legislation that we have brought
forward in the Criminal Justice Bill, creating a new criminal
offence to supply or possess a SIM farm, subject to certain
exemptions for legitimate use and where adequate due diligence
has been undertaken. The offence will carry a penalty of an
unlimited fine.
The provisions include measures to extend the offence to any
other telecommunications device or other article, where there is
a significant risk of it being used for fraud.
This new offence will give police additional tools to disrupt
criminals and make it more difficult to access and abuse SIM
farms and similar technologies for fraud.
The response (CP 978) has been laid before the House is available
on GOV.UK.
