Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) is set to roll out a new SIM card registration system to tighten security and curb fraudulent activities.
Macra consumer affairs officer Patience Mkombedzi said this on Wednesday in Kasungu during a sensitisation campaign.
fraud. I Abubakar Kanjoka
She said the new system will involve biometric verification, allowing individuals to register up to five SIM cards across all mobile networks.
“Currently, some people register SIM cards with ill intentions using their relatives’ identity cards [ID], even in their absence. With the upgraded system, such malpractices will be eliminated as the procedure will require the rightful ID holder to provide fingerprints and undergo a digitised facial recognition process,” said Mkombedzi.
On his part, Kasungu Town-based Airtel Money agent Taheer Mulla welcomed the initiative, saying it has come at a crucial time when mobile money fraud is rampant.
“We have for so long witnessed people being tricked by fraudsters. I am hopeful that the new system will make it easier to trace such criminals and bring them to justice, thereby building more trust between the public and service providers,” he said.
Under the new regulations, individuals will be allowed to register up to five SIM cards with a single National ID, while companies and institutions will be able to register up to 30 SIM cards.
Any single ID registration exceeding the limit will attract a penalty of K50 000 per day from the day of registration
