WeChat Security Center: Strict Crackdown on the Reselling of SIM Cards and Mobile Numbers

IT Home reported on November 20 that WeChat Security Center today issued an official notice targeting the illegal reselling of SIM cards and mobile phone numbers.

Below is the full announcement provided by IT Home:

The illegal sale, rental, or lending of mobile SIM cards is suspected of criminal activity. WeChat continues to monitor and crack down on the reselling of SIM cards and mobile numbers on the platform. Recently, we received user reports indicating that some individuals had been lured by phrases such as “high-paying part-time jobs” or “easy money,” and were tricked into reselling SIM cards and mobile numbers. Due to a lack of legal awareness, they ended up becoming accomplices to criminal activities.

On October 10, 2020, the State Council launched the nationwide “Cutting Off Cards” campaign, focused on combating illegal practices such as the unauthorized handling, renting, and selling of SIM cards and bank cards. According to Chinese law, reselling SIM cards may involve the following legal risks:

1. Crime of Aiding Information Network Criminal Activities (Article 287-2 of the Criminal Law):
   If one knowingly provides technical support or assistance to others who commit crimes using information networks, and the circumstances are serious, the penalty may be imprisonment of up to three years or detention.
2. Crime of Infringing on Citizens’ Personal Information (Article 253-1 of the Criminal Law):
   If personal information is illegally obtained or provided during the resale of real-name SIM cards, the offender may face imprisonment of up to three years or detention. In particularly serious cases, the sentence may range from three to seven years.
3. Crime of Illegal Business Operations (Article 225 of the Criminal Law):
   If one operates SIM card sales without permission and the circumstances are serious, the penalty may be up to five years in prison or detention. If particularly serious, the sentence may exceed five years, along with fines or confiscation of assets.

(Examples of violations were provided in the original announcement.)

To protect users' legitimate rights, the WeChat team will continue to strengthen law enforcement against the reselling of SIM cards and mobile numbers. Once verified, WeChat will impose penalties based on national laws, as well as the WeChat Software License and Service Agreement and WeChat Personal Account Usage Specifications. Penalties will vary in severity depending on the violation, and repeated offenders will face stricter punishment.

WeChat Security Center Reminders

• SIM cards under real-name registration are for personal use only. Do not rent, lend, or sell them. Avoid taking small risks that lead to major legal consequences.
• Properly protect personal information. Do not disclose or provide your details to others to avoid misuse in telecom fraud or other criminal activities.
• To purchase or register a SIM card, always go through official, legally authorized service centers or licensed online channels.