In a new move targeting one of the most prominent vulnerabilities threatening citizens' data privacy and the safety of using telecommunications services, the Egyptian Public Prosecution has opened extensive investigations into incidents of registering, selling, and trading activated mobile phone lines under the names of individuals who are not their actual users, after complaints from citizens revealed the existence of numbers registered in their names without their knowledge or contracts.

The investigations come in conjunction with strict regulatory and supervisory measures aimed at controlling the mobile line market and pursuing those involved in registering SIM cards in the names of others or trading them outside legal channels, in order to prevent the misuse of citizens' data or the employment of lines registered under the identities of unrelated individuals.

The Economic Prosecution Takes Over the Investigations

According to an official statement issued by the Egyptian Public Prosecution today (Friday), the Attorney General, Counselor Mohamed Shawky, has assigned the Economic and Money Laundering Prosecution to carry out investigations based on notifications received from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority regarding complaints from several telecommunications service users, who discovered that mobile phone lines were registered in their names despite their lack of knowledge and contracts with telecommunications companies.

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority conducted a technical examination of the databases of telecommunications companies to identify the lines attributed to the complainants, in addition to verifying whether the registration procedures complied with the approved regulations, and examining the contracts and documents related to the registration processes.

Arrests Made in Cairo and Hurghada

In a related context, the Public Prosecution has begun investigating three incidents in the cities of Cairo and Hurghada, resulting in the arrest of several suspects on charges of promoting and selling activated mobile phone lines registered under the names of other individuals.

According to preliminary investigations, these lines were traded through unauthorized shops aiming to achieve financial profits by selling them to those wishing to obtain SIM cards registered under the data of individuals other than their actual users.

The operations led to the seizure of 31 mobile phone lines belonging to several telecommunications companies, which were offered for sale and trade within those shops.

Initial inquiries revealed that some of the seized lines were indeed registered under the names of other individuals, while the relevant authorities continue to examine the remaining SIM cards to verify their data and the legality of their registration procedures.

Lines Registered Under Other Names for Egyptians and Foreigners

Investigations in one of the incidents revealed that one of the suspects obtained mobile phone lines from traders inside and outside the city of Hurghada, with the aim of reselling them to those wishing to acquire lines registered under the data of individuals who are not the actual users.

The investigations indicated that the suspect targeted both Egyptians and foreigners wishing to obtain these lines in exchange for financial returns.

In another incident, the relevant authorities managed to arrest suspects accused of participating in promoting mobile phone lines registered under the names of other individuals.

The Prosecution Investigates the Source of the Lines and Their Circulation

The Public Prosecution continues its investigations to uncover all details of the incidents, starting from the source of the seized lines, through how they were registered and activated, to the methods of their circulation and sale.

The investigative authorities are also working to identify all individuals involved in providing these lines, registering them, or reselling them, in addition to verifying the data of the individuals under whose names the lines are registered, and whether they were aware of this or consented to the registration procedures.

The investigations aim to uncover the complete circulation chain of the lines and determine the criminal responsibility of each person proven to be involved in these incidents.

Examination of Contracts and Signatures

As part of gathering evidence, the Public Prosecution is listening to representatives of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the concerned telecommunications companies, as well as the complainants.

It has also ordered the seizure of the original contracts, documents, and data related to the registration of the lines under investigation, subjecting the signatures attributed to the data owners to examination by the relevant technical authorities.

The investigations also include requesting necessary inquiries and interrogating anyone whose responsibility or connection to the registration, activation, and circulation of the violating lines is revealed by the investigations.

Protecting Citizens' Data at the Forefront of Investigations

The Public Prosecution affirms its continued legal actions against anyone proven to be involved in *registering, activating, or trading mobile phone lines in violation of the law.

These actions aim to protect citizens' personal data, ensure the integrity of contracting procedures for telecommunications services, and prevent the use of phone lines registered under the data of individuals who do not represent their actual users.

The case gains particular importance in light of the increasing complaints from citizens about discovering numbers registered in their names without their knowledge, and the potential legal and security risks that could arise if these lines are used to commit violations or crimes.