PNP, Globe Telecom intensify crackdown on network hackers

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Globe Telecom’s security team have intensified their nationwide clampdown on the unauthorized sale of international long distance calls in a bid to effectively utilize the telco’s revenues in enhancing wireline services.

According to Globe’s press release published on August 17, 2018, the PNP and Globe’s security team conducted a raid on August 9 in Cebu City, nabbing a Korean restaurant owner, Jin Sung Kim, for hacking into the international gateway facilities (IGFs) of Globe and engaging in illegal international simple resale (ISR) activities.

Kim is now detained pending the filing of the criminal charges for violating Section 33 of Republic Act (R.A.) 8792 or the E-Commerce Law as well as R.A. 8383 or the Access Device Regulation Act of 1998 for allegedly engaging in ISR activities. Meanwhile, his Filipino business partner, Blessy Sauro Encluna, remains at large. Encluna will also be criminally charged for violating Section 33 of the E-Commerce Law and the Access Device Regulation Act of 1998 by the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

ISR refers to the unauthorized routing and completing of international long distance calls using lines, cables, antennae, and/or airwave frequency and connecting these calls directly to the local or domestic exchange facilities of the country where destined. ISR operators often lease dedicated lines to make direct calls abroad and use the facilities to sell international call minutes to consumers at a much lower price.

Globe said the rampant practice of international simple resale is robbing off the network of revenues, which are supposed to be used to subsidize capital extensive local exchange networks that allow landline users to enjoy competitive monthly charges.

source: Globe