Officers have arrested two individuals linked to a significant investigation involving a “text message blaster” used to send thousands of smishing messages impersonating banks and other official organizations. This operation marks what is believed to be the first instance of such technology being utilized in the UK.
An illegitimate telephone mast is thought to have functioned as an “SMS blaster,” enabling the sending of fraudulent messages that evade the mobile networks’ systems designed to block suspicious texts.
One arrest occurred on May 9 in Manchester, followed by another in London on May 23.
Huayong Xu, a 32-year-old from Alton Road, Croydon, was charged with possession of articles for use in fraud on May 23. He was remanded in custody and later pleaded guilty on July 5. On July 8, he was sentenced to 21 weeks in prison. The other arrested individual has been released on bail.
The Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), collaborating with mobile network operators, Ofcom, and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), is leading the investigation.
Temporary Detective Chief Inspector David Vint, head of the DCPCU, stated, “The criminals committing these types of crimes are only getting smarter, employing more complex methods to deceive unsuspecting members of the public and steal whatever they can. It is crucial that we partner with others to help protect the public from falling victim to fraud.”