KRG seizes over 20,000 illegal SIM cards in crackdown on cybercrime
These devices contained photos, videos, and letters that were employed in coercion and blackmail schemes. Both women and men were targeted in these cybercrimes, with the perpetrators using digital content to exert pressure and inflict harm.

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has intensified its efforts to combat cybercrime, seizing more than 20,000 illegal SIM cards as part of a broader campaign to enhance cybersecurity and protect vulnerable individuals from digital threats.
During a meeting organized by the British Consulate in Erbil, KRG Interior Minister Rebar Ahmad announced that the security agencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and local police, successfully confiscated the unauthorized SIM cards and shut down numerous outlets involved in their illegal sale.
These actions aim to prevent the use of these SIM cards in cybercriminal activities.
In addition to the SIM card seizures, Minister Ahmad revealed that 110 computers used to harass and threaten women were also confiscated.
These devices contained photos, videos, and letters that were employed in coercion and blackmail schemes. Both women and men were targeted in these cybercrimes, with the perpetrators using digital content to exert pressure and inflict harm.
Minister Ahmad emphasized the critical role of security forces in protecting women from the severe consequences of cyber threats, including potential violence. "The security forces have saved many women from being killed due to cyber threats. Often, women have faced serious problems stemming from a message or a smile, sometimes without even realizing the danger," he stated, underscoring the importance of these efforts in safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
In 2024, the Ministry of Interior issued a stern warning to companies and agents selling SIM cards, mandating that all sales be conducted legally.
This decision is part of a broader initiative to curb the misuse of communication devices and prevent the escalation of cybercrime in the Kurdistan Region.