MANILA — The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) reported Friday the arrest of 10 individuals in 2 separate operations over the alleged illegal sale of various communication devices.

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Two people were arrested for selling SIM card modem pool or GSM modem pool devices in an entrapment operation on Thursday night, said PNP-ACG director BGen. Bernard Yang.

The male and female suspects, both Filipinos, advertised the sale of the devices on social media.

One of the suspects is a former electrician, who worked for a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firm, Yang added.

“Ito binibili rin nila, that’s why ito ay mga store online, mga reseller lang din ito eh,” Yang told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame, Quezon City. 

The PNP-ACG seized from the suspects two pieces of 16 Port SIM Modem Pool, two pieces of 32 Port SIM Modem Pool, 40 antennas, and four power supply machines.

The SIM Modem Pool or GSM Modem Pool is similar to the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher. However, the latter can house multiple GSM Modems.

The IMSI catcher, commonly known as “stingray”, rogue cell tower, fake cell tower, cell site simulator or drop box, works by imitating a legitimate cell tower and tricking nearby phones into connecting to it.

Once connected, the device can collect the IMSI numbers of device, enabling it to track their location and activity, as well as intercept text messages, calls and data traffic.

According to the PNP-ACG, the GSM Modem Pool can be used for scams, such as mass SMS phishing, fake call centers of vishing, one-time pin or OTP interception and account takeover, and money laundering and fraud. 

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“So ano yung gamit na SIM Modem Pool? Ito ay pagka napasakamay ng mga scammer ay pwede siyang magamit to text blast at magpadala ng iba-ibang link para yung mga unsuspecting na mga kababayan natin ay pwedeng makapag-click doon sa link at makapagbigay ng details, information relating to their identity, pwede rin yung bank accounts nila. So, ganun kadelikado itong machines na naseize natin kagabi,” Yang said.

“Pwede siyang pang-text blast at magagamit siya doon. Remember, merong isang machine dito, 16 ang pwedeng ilagay na SIM card, yung isa naman ay 32 SIM cards, so pang text blast talaga,” he added. 

In a separate entrapment operation conducted in Pasig City, the PNP-ACG nabbed eight individuals for selling signal jammers. All of the suspects are Filipinos.

Police seized five signal jamming devices, which the suspects sell for P15,000 to P52,000 per piece, depending on the size and type. 

“Walo yung suspects dito na nahuli natin at ito yung mga nagbebenta nitong signal jammers online,” Yang said. 

“Nasa social media platforms natin ito at na-engage at nagkaroon ng bayaran last night sa Pasig area... So, anybody na naghahanap online nitong mga gamit na ito ay pwedeng makabili. Alam naman natin na ipinagbabawal ito.” 

Yang explained the dangers of signal jamming devices, especially as the May 2025 midterm polls neared.

"Kung meron rin gustong magdisrupt ng signal sa isang event, magagamit din ito at mawawalan ng signal doon sa isang area kung saan ito ay idedeploy,” the police official said.

All the suspects will face charges for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Radio Control Law of the Philippines.

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