The UK government will move to ban the possession and supply of “SIM farms” as part of a broader effort to curb fraud and protect the public from scammers.
SIM farms are specialised devices that can hold large numbers of SIM cards simultaneously, allowing criminals to automate the mass distribution of fraudulent text messages. These systems are also used to create vast quantities of seemingly legitimate, “verified” online accounts that facilitate other criminal activity.
The policy change follows official figures showing a 19% rise in fraud last year. Fraud now represents more than 40% of all recorded crime in England and Wales, underlining the scale of the threat and the urgent need for effective countermeasures. The ban on SIM farms is a central element of the government’s security-focused “Plan for Change” and precedes a promised expanded national fraud strategy scheduled for publication later this year.
Under the proposed legislation, possessing or supplying a SIM farm without a legitimate reason would become a criminal offence. The measure is designed to cut off a key enabling tool used by organised criminals. Penalties would be severe: in England and Wales those convicted could face an unlimited fine, while in Scotland and Northern Ireland fines of up to £5,000 would apply. The ban is set to take effect six months after Royal Assent to the Crime and Policing Bill.
This change means that individuals and groups who exploit these devices will not only face prosecution for the underlying fraud, but can also be specifically punished for the possession and supply of the enabling technology, creating an additional deterrent.
Fraud Minister Lord Hanson stressed the government’s determination to act. “Fraud devastates lives, and I am determined to take the decisive action necessary to protect the public from these shameful criminals,” he said.
Lord Hanson highlighted the prevalence of suspicious messages: “Two-thirds of British adults say they’ve received a suspicious message on their phone—equivalent to more than 35 million people—which is why cracking down on SIM farms is so vital to protecting the public.”
Industry and law enforcement partners welcomed the announcement as a meaningful step toward disrupting criminal operations that rely on mass messaging and automated account creation.
Rachel Andrews, Head of Corporate Security at Vodafone UK, noted the telecom sector’s role in defending customers: “Vodafone UK is committed to protecting all our customers from fraud, including activity enabled by SIM farms. So far this year we have blocked over 38.5 million suspected scam messages, and in 2024 that figure reached over 73.5 million.”
She added that UK telecom operators have blocked more than one billion suspected scam messages since 2023, but warned that industry cannot tackle the problem alone. “Collaboration between industry and government is crucial. This is a really important step taken by the Home Office and we fully support the inclusion of SIM farms in the upcoming legislation.”
Nick Sharp, Deputy Director for Fraud at the National Crime Agency, said: “Fraud is the crime we are all most likely to experience, and one that causes victims significant emotional and financial harm. We know that fraud at scale is being facilitated by SIM farms, which give criminals a means and an opportunity to contact victims at scale with relative ease.
“The ban announced today is very welcome. It will give us a vital tool to step up our fight against fraudsters, target the services they rely on, and better protect the public.”
The government advises anyone worried about falling victim to fraud, or seeking guidance on protective measures and common scam tactics, to consult the official Stop! Think Fraud resource for up-to-date advice and support.
(Photo by Ashkan Forouzani)
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