Arrest of fraudsters linked to illegal IMSI catchers lauded

A telecommunications firm has lauded the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and law enforcement partners for arresting five people linked to unauthorized use of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers.

The arrests followed a coordinated operation based on intelligence from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which indicated unauthorized vehicles equipped with IMSI catchers were surveilling key government and military facilities.

The NBI Cybercrime Division and Special Task Force used network monitoring, interference detection and signal analysis tools to track and validate the suspects’ activities, leading to arrests Feb. 20, 2025.

Globe Telecom said that the arrest is a landmark case in the fight against unauthorized surveillance and network interference.

"We commend our law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and swift action. The presence of rogue base stations threatens not only individual privacy but also national security, and this latest crackdown reinforces the government’s commitment to combating such threats," said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe’s general counsel.

IMSI catchers, also known as rogue base stations, mimic legitimate cell towers to intercept mobile communications, collect subscriber data and disrupt network operations.

The company said it has worked with authorities to detect and prevent unauthorized network intrusions, advocating for stronger policies to restrict the entry, sale and use of the devices.

"Globe remains steadfast in its support of law enforcement and national security initiatives," Castelo said. "This arrest should serve as a stern warning to those who seek to exploit telecom networks for illicit activities."

Globe has also urged the public to report suspicious mobile activity, including unusual signal disruptions or suspected unauthorized transmissions, through official Globe channels.