General News of Tuesday, 27 January 2015

Source: starrfmonline.com

Sim box fraud: Telcos can’t escape blame – Omane Boamah

The various telecom organisations in the country cannot escape blame in the latest Sim box fraud perpetuated against the country, Communications minister, Dr Omane Boamah has said.

According to him, the chain of relations in the acquisition of the sim cards used by the fraudsters for their criminal operations cannot be overlooked in the efforts to nib the act in the bud.

Dr Boamah’s comments come on the back of the arrest of the ex GREDA boss, Dr Alexander Tweneboah Monday for sponsoring the activities of SIM box fraudsters.

A press release from Subah Info Solutions, one of the key players in the arrest has revealed that GH¢107,495,000.00 (about $33.6 million) have been lost to activities of SIM box fraudsters.

Commenting on the matter Tuesday, the former deputy environment minister said investigations are underway to identify other suspects in the case.

“We cannot at this stage extricate the chain completely from this (Sim box fraud) because every telecommunication organisation must have the responsibility for every sim card that is produced for its operations,” he stated Radio Gold.

He said government is hoping to embark on a re-registration exercise of all sim cards in the country upon completion of the national identification card project.