JMPD Officers Recover Over 4,000 Stolen SIM Cards, Arrest Four Suspects in Johannesburg

Swift Action by JMPD Tactical Response Unit Leads to Major Recovery

Johannesburg — In a significant breakthrough against telecommunications-related crime, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit has recovered over 4,000 suspected stolen SIM cards and arrested four men following a high-alert stop-and-search operation on the M1 South near the Xavier Street off-ramp.

According to the JMPD Communication Unit, the incident occurred on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, around 8:00 PM, when officers noticed a white BMW 1 Series driving without number plates — an immediate red flag prompting intervention.

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Discovery of Stolen SIM Cards and Electronic Device

Upon inspection, officers found a plastic bag containing thousands of suspected stolen MTN SIM cards hidden inside the vehicle. They also uncovered an electronic device, believed to be a signal jammer or SIM registration machine, often used in organized telecom fraud operations.

Further checks revealed that the BMW was operating with a fraudulent temporary permit not reflected in the official registration system.

Four Suspects in Custody

The four suspects, aged between 29 and 30, were detained on the scene and handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation. The Booysens SAPS took possession of the seized SIM cards and electronic equipment as evidence, while the vehicle was impounded at the SAPS Lenasia vehicle pound for verification.

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JMPD Commends Officers for Vigilance

The JMPD hailed the operation as an example of the department’s dedication to combating organized crime and protecting Johannesburg’s communication infrastructure.

“This successful interception demonstrates the ongoing commitment of our officers to combat criminal activities and safeguard the integrity of communication networks within the City,” said the JMPD Communication Unit.

Authorities believe the recovered SIM cards could be linked to a larger syndicate involved in identity fraud, illegal SIM registration, or network-related crimes. Investigations are ongoing.