The SIMs, which have the added feature of withholding caller identities, is available on the black market for SR150 to SR200. People who receive calls from these SIMs see the message “private number” displayed on their phones instead of the callers’ telephone number.
The SIM cards are thought to originate in Kenya and are popular among people who want to harass, blackmail or threaten others.
A Zain official in Madinah denied the SIMs were connected to Zain Saudi Arabia, adding that they are discrediting the company’s good name. Call time for the SIMs can be bought using recharge cards for Zain Saudi Arabia. Users also do not need to use international dialing codes when using the SIMs in the Kingdom. Once the SIMs are put in mobile phones, the display name comes up as Zain Ke.
Further details of the SIMs are available on the Internet.
“Saudi telecommunication authorities need to quickly address the technical flaw that allows criminal minded people to exploit this loophole.
Any Saudi or expatriate who knows of someone selling these SIMs should inform the authorities immediately,” said local resident Ali Al-Zahrani.
Sellers of SIM cards in Madinah told Arab News they do not sell illegal SIM cards.
