ARPCE Breaks Up Sixth SIM Box Fraud Network in Brazzaville
The Republic of Congo has uncovered another telecommunications fraud operation in Brazzaville, with authorities dismantling a SIM box network accused of diverting hundreds of thousands of minutes of international calls.
The latest crackdown brings the number of SIM box fraud networks dismantled by the Regulatory Agency for Posts and Electronic Communications (ARPCE) since the beginning of 2026 to six.
Operation Leads to Arrests and Equipment Seizure
The operation was carried out on August 21 in the Massengo (Domaine) neighbourhood of Brazzaville by sworn ARPCE officers working alongside security forces.
During the raid, authorities seized two 16-port SIM boxes, a D-Link modem, a laptop and an automatic battery-recharging system believed to have been used to operate the fraudulent network.
Investigators also recovered 30 Ugandan telephone numbers allegedly being used for the illegal operation. Two people were arrested and are expected to face further investigation over their alleged involvement.
Fraud Network Diverted More Than 422,000 Minutes
Authorities estimate that the operation caused financial losses of around CFA42 million over a two-month period.
More than 422,000 minutes of calls were reportedly diverted through the network during that time.
The suspected fraud involved Ugandan SIM cards connected through roaming services. The system allegedly rerouted international calls and made them appear as local calls, allowing those behind the operation to avoid international call termination charges normally paid to the state and telecommunications operators.
Massengo Emerges as a Repeat Target
The latest raid is the second SIM box network to be dismantled in the Massengo area.
An earlier operation conducted in May at the Congo Chine site, along with another crackdown at the Coraf site in Pointe-Noire, resulted in estimated combined losses of about CFA136 million.
The repeated discovery of SIM box networks highlights the scale of telecommunications fraud authorities are attempting to tackle across the country.
ARPCE Warns Against Unregistered SIM Cards
ARPCE has continued to warn that the circulation and use of unregistered SIM cards are helping fraudsters carry out telecommunications-related crimes.
The regulator has urged members of the public to report suspected fraudulent activities as authorities intensify efforts to identify and shut down illegal SIM box operations.
Under Congo’s Law No. 9 of November 25, 2009, telecommunications fraud of this nature can carry a prison sentence of up to five years and fines reaching CFA1 billion.
