Apia, Samoa – 28 April 2025 – Police are concerned that unregistered sim cards issued by mobile phone companies is hindering its investigations into allegations of cybercrimes using the names of local high-profile people to obtain money illegally.

Police Commissioner Auapaau Filipo Logoitino confirmed that police are investigating several criminal cases where the names of local politicians and businesspeople have been used to attract monetary donations online.

He explained that police suspect the alleged criminal online activities are using unregistered sim cards which makes it difficult to trace the user’s real identity.

The Commissioner said that police is working with New Zealand and Australian specialists in investigating the reported cybercrime activities mainly using Facebook online.

Unregistered mobile phone sim cards are easily available from small shops around the country targeting wider mobile access even the remotest areas.

They come with credits the user pays for but has no record of the users personal identity.