Globe, NTC, CICC, CIDG deploy IMSI catcher detectors to fight mobile scams

Globe has partnered with government agencies to strengthen efforts against mobile-based scams, introducing new tools designed to detect illegal signal activity across the country.

In collaboration with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Globe has donated IMSI catcher detectors to help authorities identify and track unauthorized mobile network activity.

These devices are designed to locate illegal infrastructure such as fake base stations, commonly known as IMSI catchers. These are often used by cybercriminals to send fraudulent SMS messages directly to users, bypassing traditional network safeguards and making them harder to detect.
With the deployment of these detectors, agencies can now monitor suspicious signal activity in real time, improving their ability to respond quickly and take enforcement action. The initiative is expected to enhance protection in high-risk and densely populated areas where scam activity is more prevalent.

Globe said the move is part of a broader effort to combat increasingly sophisticated threats that operate beyond standard telecom networks. The company emphasized that addressing these risks requires stronger coordination between telecom providers, regulators, and law enforcement.

The initiative builds on Globe’s existing anti-scam measures, including blocking clickable links in person-to-person SMS and launching its SMS Scam Shield feature on the GlobeOne app. In 2025 alone, the company reported blocking over 967 million scam and spam messages and deactivating more than 244,000 SIMs linked to fraudulent activities.

By combining technology deployment with inter-agency collaboration, the program aims to strengthen the country’s overall defense against mobile fraud and protect millions of Filipino users.

Globe, NTC, CICC, CIDG deploy IMSI catcher detectors to fight mobile scamsGlobe said the partnership reflects a broader effort to ensure that digital connectivity in the Philippines remains safe and secure.