Peruvian police arrest telecom worker for illegal SIM card activation used in fraud

The National Police of Peru (PNP) apprehended a telecommunications company employee in Carabayllo, accused of illegally activating SIM cards with personal customer data without authorization. According to the PNP's Cybercrime Investigation Directorate, the individual allegedly performed these activations while working as a sales advisor for Entel. The illicitly activated mobile lines are suspected of being used for criminal activities including extortion, computer fraud, and scams.

The operation, reported on May 17, 2026, resulted in the seizure of 15 postpaid SIM cards and 41 prepaid SIM cards. Additionally, police confiscated a biometric reader, a mobile phone, and bank cards from various financial institutions. Preliminary investigations suggest the employee had system access and manually activated lines without the mandatory biometric validation, a process designed to prevent such misuse.

Authorities are warning the public about the significant risks associated with these illegal activation practices. The Cybercrime Investigation Directorate emphasized that such actions pose a serious threat to citizens' security and identity. Illegally activated lines can be exploited by criminals to commit offenses under the names of unsuspecting third parties, highlighting the vulnerability of personal data in telecommunications systems.