Thai authorities arrest gang behind million SMS phishing attacks
- In November 2024, two organized fraud gangs were arrested by Thai authorities in Bangkok.
- One gang utilized 'SMS blasting' to send nearly a million phishing messages within three days.
- Authorities are taking measures to combat digital fraud as technology enables new criminal tactics.
In mid-November 2024, Thai authorities conducted raids to dismantle two organized fraud gangs in Bangkok. One of the gangs has been accused of employing an innovative method called 'SMS blasting,' which involves driving through neighborhoods and sending a high volume of malicious text messages to nearby residents. Utilizing a mobile setup that imitates cellular base stations, they generated near 1 million phishing messages within a span of three days. These messages typically enticed recipients with false claims of winning gifts, aiming to trick them into clicking malicious links that might compromise their personal information. The swift actions by law enforcement highlight the growing concerns over digital fraud and the measures being taken to combat this rising crime. As technology evolves, so do tactics employed by criminals, necessitating increased vigilance and proactive responses from authorities to protect citizens from such attacks.