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My Smart SIM card stopped working yesterday. I went to the Smart Shop today and the guy said the SIM card was scratched/broken and I needed a new one. He asked for my phone number. I told him. I think he then looked up my account. He asked if I had my passport. I said no.

He shrugged that off. Presumably, the account shows my (Western) name, and that was good enough for him. He didn't actually ask me my name. He just programmed a SIM card for the number I told him and gave it to me.

Now, what would have happened if I gave him the phone number belonging to another white dude? I imagine he would have seen a Western name, and given me a SIM card with that guy's number. Would that automatically deactivate the guy's own SIM card, or would we both be walking around with the same number? And then what happens if someone calls, both phones ring and the first of us to answer gets to take the call?

The "scratched SIM card" could also be useful if you want to know who has a certain number. Let's say you're getting harassing phone calls from 0923336789, but you don't know who is calling. You walk in with a scratched up SIM card and say "My SIM card isn't working, my number is 0923336789." And he says do you have your passport? No. "Well, that phone number belongs to a lady in Kampong Cham named Chan Sreymom."

It would have deactivated the other guys number so only yours would work.

Technically they should not have done it without you having a passport or some form of ID for 2 reasons.
1, it could create a scenario exactly as you described and
2, its is agains ministry rules to allow a sim to be activated without ID.

While a lot of companies and SIM sellers don’t follow these rules they did crack down on this a couple of years ago and all SIMs needed a valid ID to keep them active. But as with anything in Cambodia it seems they have reverted back to normal after the ministry has given up chasing companies to follow the rules.

they can read the sim to determine what number it is so unless you got hold of this person who is stalking you sim your scenario is moot.

plus the fact youre the one who would be doing the stalking anyway so i am guessing you are the one who would try and find out where someone was living!

The ministry hasn't given up chasing companies and individual sellers. As well as recently extending the deadline yet again, some companies have been (re)training staff on the matter ... Just had something on FB about it 30min ago. Can't find it now

violet wrote: ↑Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:07 pm The ministry hasn't given up chasing companies and individual sellers. As well as yet again extending the deadline, some companies have been (re)training staff on the matter ... Just had something on FB about it 30min ago. Can't find it now

5 Cellcard Staff Educated for No ID Simcard Sales

Phnom Penh: 5 Cellcard salespeople (only 3 pictured) were taken away by Technology Crime Division police on July 15 for not checking ID when selling sim cards.

eThe offences took place on street 156, and the quintet, aged between 23-27, were taken to Veal Veng police station, where they were questioned an educated on the law, before being released.

kiwiincambodia wrote: ↑Sun Jul 15, 2018 8:27 pm It would have deactivated the other guys number so only yours would work.

Ah, and then he would go to the shop, say his SIM isn't working, they'd say it was activated yesterday, he'd say that wasn't him, and if he had his passport, he'd get the number back.

Cam Nivag wrote:

kiwiincambodia wrote: ↑Sun Jul 15, 2018 8:27 pm It would have deactivated the other guys number so only yours would work.

Ah, and then he would go to the shop, say his SIM isn't working, they'd say it was activated yesterday, he'd say that wasn't him, and if he had his passport, he'd get the number back.

Basically yes. If the names matched.

If the number was registered with a dummy ID (which happens quite frequently) and he couldn’t prove it was his number (maybe by recent calls, this is harder to prove) he would be shit out of luck and need a new one.

timmydownawell wrote:

violet wrote: ↑Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:07 pm The ministry hasn't given up chasing companies and individual sellers. As well as yet again extending the deadline, some companies have been (re)training staff on the matter ... Just had something on FB about it 30min ago. Can't find it now

5 Cellcard Staff Educated for No ID Simcard Sales

Phnom Penh: 5 Cellcard salespeople (only 3 pictured) were taken away by Technology Crime Division police on July 15 for not checking ID when selling sim cards.

eThe offences took place on street 156, and the quintet, aged between 23-27, were taken to Veal Veng police station, where they were questioned an educated on the law, before being released.

Good to know. So it seems only SMART are allowed to break the rules and do whatever they want. Glad to hear nothing has changed.

With ais here in thailand , i have 2 sims with the same #
1 sim is in my phone for calls and internet, the other in my tablet, Only for internet.
I have a number i can call if want switch which sim will be used for telephone calls

kiwiincambodia wrote: ↑Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:17 pm
Good to know. So it seems only SMART are allowed to break the rules and do whatever they want. Glad to hear nothing has changed.

I don't think they would have given me a new account without a passport. This was a replacement SIM card for a broken one that was registered to me. A gray area.