In country phone numbers are quite hard to get since they have to be activated with ID. Sure scammers could start using stolen IDs, but that's already a barrier

In country phone numbers are quite hard to get since they have to be activated with ID. Sure scammers could start using stolen IDs, but that's already a barrier to entry. And you are limited to how many phone numbers you can register this way. Presumably with further tie ins to government services, one would be able to view all the phone numbers registered in their name to spot fraud and deactivate the numbers they don't own.