‘Hundreds of Dutch Victims of Theft of 06 Numbers
‘ In 2018 hundreds of people in the Netherlands have become victims of ‘sim swapping’, a plant in which criminals try to get hold of the 06 number of a victim.
The number of victims has increased this year by statements from several major Dutch telecom providers.
Scammers try to persuade a telecom provider to transfer a 06 number to another SIM card. They then use the 06 number to access online services linked to the number, such as WhatsApp or other social media, e-mail or payment services.
Many online services use telephone numbers to allow users to set a new password. Also, two-step verification, in which a code is sent with which a user can log in, often works via SMS. This means that stealing a 06 number also gives access to other accounts.
Once entered into an account, the criminal can get money or cryptocurrency. He can also search for personal information with which he can extort or threaten the victim.
Smartphone owners who fall victim to sim swapping notice that their SIM card suddenly stops working, preventing them from calling or using the internet. In that case, the 06 number has been transferred to another SIM card.
Hundreds of Dutch people are now victims of sim swapping every year.