Police issue warning over ‘blasters’ used to send scam texts to nearby phones
The device sparking surge in scam text messages
- Police are warning about the SMS Blaster, a new device used by criminals to commit fraud by sending fake text messages.
- The device functions as an illegitimate phone mast, tricking nearby mobile phones into connecting to it instead of legitimate networks.
- Once connected, the SMS Blaster sends fraudulent messages designed to appear genuine, often from government bodies or other trusted organizations.
- These scam texts prompt victims to click on malicious links, leading to websites that harvest their personal and financial details.
- The Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU) has arrested seven people and seized seven SMS blasters, urging the public to report suspicious texts and contact their banks if scammed.