Individuals and businesses involved in activating or selling improperly registered SIM cards could face fines of up to Le25,000 and possible imprisonment, the National Cybersecurity Coordinator, Mariama Yormah, has warned.

Yormah said the enforcement measures form part of efforts to strengthen SIM-card registration and prevent the misuse of telephone numbers in cybercrime and mobile fraud.

Speaking on cybersecurity awareness and the fight against cybercrime, Yormah said the issue of improperly registered SIM cards emerged during a recent engagement between the National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre, the ministry responsible for communications and telecommunications companies.

She said regulatory authorities, including NATCA, have a critical role to play in ensuring that SIM cards are properly registered and that telecommunications operators comply with the required standards.

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According to Yormah, individuals or businesses found activating or selling improperly registered SIM cards could face significant penalties, including fines of up to Le25,000 and possible imprisonment, depending on the offence.

The warning comes as cybersecurity authorities intensify efforts to address the growing risks associated with mobile communications, including fraud, identity-related crimes and the misuse of telephone numbers.

Yormah explained that properly registered SIM cards are important to cybercrime investigations because telecommunications records can assist investigators in identifying subscribers linked to particular telephone numbers.

She said the National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre maintains communication with telecommunications companies, allowing investigators to obtain relevant subscriber information through established procedures when such information is required for a cybercrime investigation.

The Centre also works closely with the Sierra Leone Police, which, according to Yormah, is often the first point of contact for victims of cybercrime.

She said the cybersecurity institution provides technical assistance to the police when required, while law enforcement officers gather evidence and pursue appropriate legal action.

Yormah stressed that the fight against cybercrime requires coordinated action because the problem extends beyond the cybersecurity sector and affects telecommunications, financial services, national security and other areas.

She said telecommunications companies also have a responsibility to protect customers from scams and the misuse of telephone numbers, while regulators must ensure that operators comply with SIM-registration requirements.

Beyond SIM-card registration, Yormah warned that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting human behaviour to gain access to victims’ accounts.

She cited WhatsApp account takeovers, where criminals may contact users and falsely claim that an authentication code has been sent to their phones before asking them to disclose the code.

She warned that once such a code is shared, criminals may gain control of the victim’s WhatsApp account.

Yormah therefore urged the public never to disclose verification codes or two-step verification PINs, regardless of who requests them.

She also advised WhatsApp users to activate two-step verification, create a unique six-digit PIN and avoid using easily predictable information such as telephone numbers or dates of birth.

Meanwhile, the National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre is preparing to launch a Safe Financial Campaign this August to raise awareness about online and financial scams.

Yormah said about 30 volunteers have been requested to support the campaign, which is expected to reach communities through marketplaces, churches, mosques and other public gathering places.

The Centre also plans to use radio programmes and educational jingles across the districts, with at least two radio stations targeted in each district, subject to available resources.

Yormah said stronger SIM-card registration, regulatory enforcement, cooperation among institutions and greater public awareness are essential to closing the gaps that cybercriminals exploit.

She urged citizens to remain vigilant and to stop, think and verify before responding to suspicious requests or providing sensitive information.