Samsung S21: SIM1 Not Allowed on MTN

Naks

Naks

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Hi,

All of a sudden, I lost all network and signal (MTN), with a notification on the lock screen saying "Sim 1 Not Allowed". This happened during loadshedding.

And when I try to make a call:
1656671885120.png

I've tried the usual methods of troubleshooting suggested online without any luck, including:
  • Switching Airplane mode off and then on.
  • Turning phone off and then on.
  • Removing the sim, cleaning and putting it back in.
  • Reset the network settings.
  • Under the settings, I navigated to the Connections tab, to Mobile Networks and then to Network Operators, but was not able to click on 'Select Automatically' or 'Select Manually', with messages popping up saying '...can't connect'
  • I went into Safe mode and charged the phone to see if that repairs the issue.
  • Did software update (was already on latest update)
The sim works in other phones, but no other sim works in sim slot 1. For now I am using SIM2, but I do need both.

Phone has never been dropped, no water, etc.

Anyone else experiencing this issue? If so, how did they overcome it?

Thanks,
 
So looks like this is an insurance scam, being run from inside the operators: the store can see the blacklisting, but there are no details on who requested it, nor where or how it was done, which is highly irregular.

Also, the store says I'm not the first person to have this issue. Looks like someone inside the operator is siphoning random IMEIs, then reporting them as stolen, and then scoring an insurance payout.

And the trick they are using is to do this across networks, to make it harder to trace.
 
Naks said:
So looks like this is an insurance scam, being run from inside the operators: the store can see the blacklisting, but there are no details on who requested it, nor where or how it was done, which is highly irregular.

Also, the store says I'm not the first person to have this issue. Looks like someone inside the operator is siphoning random IMEIs, then reporting them as stolen, and then scoring an insurance payout.

And the trick they are using is to do this across networks, to make it harder to trace.
Click to expand...
So are they going to unblacklist or give you a new phone?
 
There’s a post about this in the week
Search for Cellucity
 
Naks said:
Whole pulava of having to go do an affidavit at the cop shop, fill in a form, provide original receipt, and then +-1 week.
Click to expand...
Lets hope that week doesnt turn into months coupled with a lot of frustration.
 
Naks said:
Hi,

All of a sudden, I lost all network and signal (MTN), with a notification on the lock screen saying "Sim 1 Not Allowed". This happened during loadshedding.

And when I try to make a call:
View attachment 1338700

I've tried the usual methods of troubleshooting suggested online without any luck, including:
  • Switching Airplane mode off and then on.
  • Turning phone off and then on.
  • Removing the sim, cleaning and putting it back in.
  • Reset the network settings.
  • Under the settings, I navigated to the Connections tab, to Mobile Networks and then to Network Operators, but was not able to click on 'Select Automatically' or 'Select Manually', with messages popping up saying '...can't connect'
  • I went into Safe mode and charged the phone to see if that repairs the issue.
  • Did software update (was already on latest update)
The sim works in other phones, but no other sim works in sim slot 1. For now I am using SIM2, but I do need both.

Phone has never been dropped, no water, etc.

Anyone else experiencing this issue? If so, how did they overcome it?

Thanks,
Click to expand...
I also have a S21 with the exact same issue that started a while back. Does your charging port also struggle to connect? I was thinking this is related as it's on the same board. I phoned MTN but they said it's not blacklisted. What you are saying is frightening though as I do not have the original invoice anymore. Please let me know if you manage to sort it out by unlisting?
 
Tector said:
I also have a S21 with the exact same issue that started a while back. Does your charging port also struggle to connect? I was thinking this is related as it's on the same board. I phoned MTN but they said it's not blacklisted. What you are saying is frightening though as I do not have the original invoice anymore. Please let me know if you manage to sort it out by unlisting?
Click to expand...
No, charging port is fine.

Ime the call centre staff are not too clued up, rather go into a store and ask them to check.
 
The Door said:
So these guys are targeting high end phones clearly. Quick cash. The fact that they can do this without audit logs is Cray Cray. I swear these networks employ amateurs.
Click to expand...

Yep, very organised syndicate this - even the Vodacom store was surprised that their system had zero indication of where/how the blacklist was requested, which they said is mandatory for blacklisting.
 
Naks said:
Yep, very organised syndicate this - even the Vodacom store was surprised that their system had zero indication of where/how the blacklist was requested, which they said is mandatory for blacklisting.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I went to Cellucity, they could see the blacklisting with reference number, but not who requested the listing so thus making it almost impossible to get removed (I'm saying almost as I didn't try, but could foresee how this would have played out)
 
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