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Cambridge Study Uncovers Global Grey Market for SIM Cards

12/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A University of Cambridge study identifies a significant international grey market for mobile phone SIM cards that enables online fraud.
The study notes services like SMSActivate and 5Sim provide SIMs used to verify fake accounts on social media and e-commerce platforms.
Jon Roozenbeek, co-leader of the University of Cambridge study, says the market enables selling inauthentic content and popularity by creating bot accounts that appear legitimate on WhatsApp and Facebook.

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Story summary

A University of Cambridge study identifies a significant international grey market for mobile phone SIM cards that enables online fraud.
The study notes services like SMSActivate and 5Sim provide SIMs used to verify fake accounts on social media and e-commerce platforms.
Jon Roozenbeek, co-leader of the University of Cambridge study, says the market enables selling inauthentic content and popularity by creating bot accounts that appear legitimate on WhatsApp and Facebook.