The UK government is set to ban the use and possession of “SIM farms”—a major tool exploited by fraudsters in mass text scams—as part of a comprehensive fraud prevention strategy that aims to tackle the growing threat of cyber-enabled financial crime.
Under new proposals announced as part of the government’s anti-fraud initiative, devices known as SIM farms—capable of sending thousands of fraudulent messages daily—will be outlawed.
These devices, which can hold dozens or even hundreds of SIM cards, have become a preferred tool for scammers operating large-scale text message fraud campaigns.
What Are SIM Farms and How Are They Used in Scams?
SIM farms, or GSM gateways, are devices that can house multiple SIM cards simultaneously—sometimes hundreds at once—and are managed remotely via software. While they can be used for legitimate business communications, criminals often misuse them to send bulk scam texts or to impersonate trusted institutions like banks, HMRC, or delivery services.
These scam messages typically aim to trick victims into clicking malicious links or divulging personal information, a tactic known as “smishing.” In some instances, victims are led to phishing websites or manipulated into transferring funds directly to fraudsters.
According to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), SMS-based scams have been steadily increasing, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government Plans to Ban SIM Farms
The move to ban SIM farms follows a public consultation launched by the Home Office in May 2023, which gathered input from law enforcement agencies, mobile network operators, and the public. The consultation defined SIM farms as any device capable of making calls or sending texts using more than four SIM cards at once.
In November 2023, the government published its official response, announcing that legislation would be introduced to criminalize the possession, use, and supply of these devices for fraudulent purposes. The proposed changes form part of the Criminal Justice Bill and will include penalties such as unlimited fines.
Full consultation response: Home Office – Ban on SIM farms
Timeline for Enforcement
The new regulations are expected to take effect by April 2026, giving businesses that use SIM farms for lawful reasons—such as bulk SMS notifications or customer service—a window to transition to compliant systems.
Government sources emphasized that exceptions may apply to authorized users operating within regulated industries, provided they meet specific security standards and anti-fraud protocols.
Wider Anti-Fraud Measures in the UK
The SIM farm ban is just one element of the UK’s broader Fraud Strategy introduced in May 2023. Other actions under this strategy include:
- Banning cold calls that promote financial products, such as investment schemes or insurance.
- Stricter enforcement against number spoofing, preventing fraudsters from imitating legitimate phone numbers.
- Payment delay powers granted to banks, allowing them to hold suspicious transactions for further review.
- Establishing a National Fraud Squad to target organized crime networks.
- A £30 million upgrade to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting center, to make it more user-friendly and efficient.
More information: Prime Minister’s Fraud Strategy
Real-Life Cases Demonstrate Urgency
Recent legal cases have highlighted the urgent need for regulation. In December 2024, three individuals in London were convicted after using a SIM farm to send fake bank alerts to hundreds of victims, stealing over £220,000.
The scam involved messages directing victims to spoof websites where they were prompted to enter banking details. The court heard that the criminals operated a well-organized system using a rack of SIM cards and automation tools. The police recovered a large volume of personal data and digital evidence during their investigation.
Article: London SIM Farm Fraud Case – Evening Standard
Industry and Public Support
Mobile network operators and cybersecurity experts have expressed support for the proposed ban. Many have warned that fraudsters are increasingly relying on SMS as email filters and call-blocking technologies improve.
In its statement, the National Crime Agency (NCA) welcomed the crackdown, noting that “SIM farms are a key enabler of large-scale fraud campaigns” and that their elimination will significantly hinder criminal operations.
Consumers are also being urged to report suspicious messages and avoid clicking on unsolicited links. Reports can be made via text to 7726 or through Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime.
Conclusion
With fraud costing the UK billions each year, the government’s move to ban SIM farms is a decisive step toward protecting citizens from a rising tide of digitally orchestrated scams.
While enforcement and implementation will take time, the new legislation—alongside other reforms—signals a serious commitment to cutting off the tools that make mass fraud possible.
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