• Home
• /
• Crime and Courts

Two arrested in RAK for trading in VoIP cards

Police seize 1,500 VoIP calling cards worth Dh45,000 which give access to banned websites where one can make international calls on cheap rates.

---

---

Ras Al Khaimah - The RAK Police have nabbed two Asian residents selling 1,500 international ‘voice over internet protocol’ (VoIP) calling cards, worth Dh45,000, without being licensed for the same in violation of the telecommunications regulations here.

The seized VoIP cards give access to banned websites where one can make international calls on cheap rates, according to a senior officer at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Col Abdullah Ali Mankhas, Director of the CID Department at RAK Police, said they were tipped off about the illegal practice by an undercover agent.

“Initial investigations showed that the duo was staying in a nearby emirate and came to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah on a regular basis to secretly sell the prepaid cards to shops here.”

A tight security trap was set and the two suspects were apprehended red-handed with some 1,500 VoIP cards, he added. “The duo told the RAK Public Prosecution that they brought the cards from another country to sell in Ras Al Khaimah and make money in an illegal way.”

Col Mankhas said groceries and shops here are not allowed to buy or sell these banned cards. “Whoever gets involved in this illegal practice shall face legal action and penalty.”

Amr Rashad, an Arab resident, said a Bangladeshi man offered him one of these cards. “He claimed that I can make international calls for as long as 10 hours at no charge.”

A card would only cost Dh30, he added. “But I felt it is illegal and refused to accept his offer though I saw many people buying from him.”

Hani Sultan, an electronic and telecommunication engineer, said most of these calls of these cheap VoIP cards are routed through servers based in Asia, America and Europe. -ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com 

• Crime and Courts