For a less romanticised, more practical resource on the topic, I recommend The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Online Anonymity https://anonymousplanet.org/guide.html
They're suggesting you buy cryptocurrency then buy an eSIM online (which comes in the form of a QR code you scan) from a particular, kind of sketchy service. Don't need to worry about country restrictions unless the country you're in somehow bans roaming.
same in germany. fortunately there are services like digitalcourage where you send your card and get another random
back - easy to deflect the legal issues you‘ll be confronted with because it’s not illegal to exchange.
Why has this loophole not been closed? It seems really easy to ban exchanging personal SIMs.
Mexico already tried something like this in 2008 IIRC, and it was aborted because the database was leaked and sold for like 20-30 USD a copy. That database empowered fraudsters then, and I fear this new one, having recent biometric data, would be even worse if passed, as our government is an even less capable digital steward now. If this law gets enforced, an loophole like the one DigitalCourage uses would be closed quickly.
Writer of the guide here. I actually do tell you what to do in that case:
- Take the cost and go physically to such a country
- Use online services such as dtmf.io and pay with Monero (there are others but I didn't test them and some are "sketchy" to say the least)
But you could also just ask someone you trust in such a country to buy one for you (carefully) and mail it to you including a top-up voucher paid by cash.
Otherwise well just don't use services that require phone numbers for verification. No other way I'm afraid.
If you're not bothered by having a conversation with the homeless, indigent, or hard-up, then it's more doable than you think. You're not just subject to the chance of happening upon someone already in the business of providing these services. You can be a job creator.
With mandatory (and otherwise widespread) masking policies right now, it's even easier than under normal circumstances.
At least where I live, there is simply no option for voice/SMS SIM cards other than a subscription drawing from your credit card or bank account etc. So it would take the proxy person to also hold a bank account or credit card and be on the hook for any charges to the SIM card. Even with government ID etc they can't just go to a shop and pick up a prepaid for cash.
Theoretically possible, yes, but in practice, I think the only option is if you have the "right" connections with organized crime. I don't think you'd be able to solicit on the streets, even in the capital.
"desirable illegal thing isn't available on the black market" is wrong. Not even worth saying it. No, that horrific thing you're thinking of isn't a counterexample but you probably can't afford it.