In a bold move to combat rising cybercrime, the UK has become the first country in Europe to ban SIM farms, signalling a major escalation in the nation’s fight against mobile cyber fraud. The new legislation, announced by Fraud Minister Lord Hanson, aims to disrupt industrial-scale scam operations and protect millions of mobile users from phishing attacks and text scams.
The ban will take effect six months after the Royal Assent of the Crime and Policing Bill, and will make the possession or supply of SIM farms illegal without a legitimate reason. Offenders in England and Wales will face unlimited fines, while penalties in Scotland and Northern Ireland will reach up to £5,000.
What Are SIM Farms and Why Are They Dangerous?
SIM farms are devices capable of holding dozens or hundreds of SIM cards, often used by criminals to automate mass scam texting, create fake accounts, and conduct phishing campaigns. Their industrial use enables large-scale fraud, threatening individuals, businesses, and the integrity of mobile networks.
The UK government cites a 19% annual increase in fraud, with more than 40% of all reported crimes in England and Wales now related to fraudulent activity. Two-thirds of UK adults—an estimated 35 million people—say they’ve received suspicious messages, underscoring the urgency of the crackdown.
Vodafone Leads Industry Response as Scam Texts Soar
Telecom giant Vodafone UK has been instrumental in exposing the scale of the issue. Rachel Andrews, Head of Corporate Security at Vodafone UK, revealed the company blocked over 73.5 million scam texts in 2024, and 38.5 million more in the first few months of 2025. Across the industry, UK telecoms operators have blocked over one billion scam messages since 2023.
Andrews applauded the government’s legislation, emphasising that voluntary action is not enough. “This is a really important step taken by the Home Office, and we fully support the inclusion of SIM farms in the upcoming legislation,” she said.
Industry and Law Enforcement Welcome Tough New Measures
The move has drawn widespread support. Nick Sharp, Deputy Director for Fraud at the National Crime Agency, called the ban “a vital tool” in dismantling fraud networks. Industry experts, including Matt Stanton of BioCatch, likened SIM farms to “industrial-scale crime machines” that enable fraudsters to steal millions within minutes.
Stanton urged other European countries to follow the UK’s lead, warning that failure to act would leave them vulnerable to organised cybercrime.
Setting a European Benchmark in Cybersecurity
The UK government hopes the ban will serve as a deterrent to criminal networks and a catalyst for similar measures across Europe. Unlimited fines, stricter regulations, and enhanced cooperation between government and telecom providers are now seen as essential steps to secure digital infrastructure.
Fraud Minister Lord Hanson summed up the government’s stance: “Fraud devastates lives. This legislation marks a leap forward and gives law enforcement and industry the clarity needed to protect the public.”
As cyber threats evolve, the UK’s decisive action to ban SIM farms offers a blueprint for safeguarding mobile communication in the digital age.
