The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will use a live finger detector (LFD) technology to eliminate silicon thumbs and manage SIM card fraud and cybercrime.
Official documents from the Interior Ministry showed that criminals have been observed using various methods to get innocent individuals to transfer their hard-earned money into the imposter’s bank account.
Live Finger Detection (LFD) technology is based on an examination of the dynamic and static image characteristics of the fake fingers, as well as how they differ from those of live fingers.
Fake fingers are readily recognised from live fingers using a sophisticated analytic technique that detects irregularities in the dynamic shifting pattern of fingerprint photos, as well as various static features of liveness or unnaturalness of fingers.
Live fingers naturally demonstrate changes in patterns of area, intensity, and movement as they gradually make contact with the sensor surface, whereas fake fingers produce unnatural changing patterns of separated areas, partially dark areas, distorted boundary shape, and large movement of core part.
This would assist in the capture of phoney fingerprints and forgeries.
Mobile SIMs, which are illegally activated using various methods such as silicon thumb imprint, are major instruments utilised in these scams. Section 17 of the PECA-2016 mandates the PTA to examine and monitor illicit SIM biometric verification (unauthorized issuance of SIM cards).
Furthermore, similar acts are handled under PECA-2016 sections 13 (electronic forgery), 14 (electronic fraud), 16 (unauthorised use of identifying information), and 17 (problems of illicit SIMs).
According to the records, the FIA Cybercrime Wing (FIA-CCW), which is an investigating body, has taken substantial efforts in these cases.
During the current fiscal year, the FIA-CCW has received 21,259 accusations of financial fraud, which is a criminal violation under PECA-2016 sections 13 and 14. Out of 21,259 complaints, 3,894 were turned into regular investigations, 352 cases were lodged, and 415 suspects were detained.
In 2021, CCW received 3,894 inquiries, 652 cases, and 703 arrests.
CCW FIA recorded 33 instances this year, and 69 suspects were detained. In 2021, 22 cases were recorded and 53 people were detained under PECA-2016 Section 17 (issuance of unlawful SIM cards).
Cases are being filed against the owners/users of such SIM cards under the relevant sections of the PECA-2016.
In such situations as franchise owners, criminal procedures are also filed against the facilitator/abettor.
The records also revealed that crackdown operations are being carried out on suppliers and purchasers of silicon thumbs.
To eliminate silicon thumbs, PTA will use a live finger detector (LFD) device. A database of IMEIs has been established in order to identify and submit the mobile set to PTA for permanent banning.
