Latvia's Interior Minister has expressed hope for a swift ban on unregistered SIM cards as a measure to curb the increasing incidents of phone fraud in the country. The Ministry has already submitted a proposal for this ban, indicating that the matter is a priority that needs prompt legislative action. The minister is optimistic about the Saeima's decisive action to address the issue, emphasizing the urgency of finding a resolution to protect citizens from fraudsters.

Fraud involving unregistered SIM cards has become a growing concern in Latvia, with reports indicating that scammers are capitalizing on the legal allowance of these cards in the country. Many EU nations have already implemented similar bans, forcing criminals to target countries like Latvia where such practices remain legal. This not only poses risks to individual citizens but also highlights broader themes of security and regulatory challenges within the country.

In 2025 alone, scammers managed to swindle Latvian residents out of 23.7 million euros, marking a significant jump from 16 million euros in 2024. Phone fraud has emerged as the most prevalent type of scam, accounting for around 55% of all reported fraud incidents, with 6,479 cases documented. This alarming trend underscores the necessity for immediate action to legislate against unregistered SIM cards to help protect citizens and stem the tide of rising fraudulent activities.