Two people arrested in connection with investigation into homemade mobile antenna used to send thousands of smishing text messages to the public

Officers have made two arrests in connection with an investigation into the use of a “text message blaster”, believed to have been used to send thousands of smishing messages, posing as banks and other official organisations, to members of the public.

In what is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, an illegitimate telephone mast is believed to have been used as an “SMS blaster” to send messages that bypass mobile phone networks’ systems in place to block suspicious text messages.

One arrest was made on 9 May in Manchester and on 23 May, a further arrest was made in London.

Huayong Xu, 32, of Alton Road, Croydon was charged on 23 May with possession of articles for use in fraud and was remanded in custody. Xu plead guilty on 5th July to possession of articles for use in fraud and was sentenced to 21 weeks imprisonment on 8th July.

The other arrested person was bailed.

Officers from the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), worked with mobile network operators, Ofcom and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector David Vint, head of the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), said: 

“The criminals committing these types of crimes are only getting smarter, working in more complex ways to trick unknowing members of the public and steal whatever they can get their hands on. It is vital we work with partners to help prevent the public from falling victim to fraud.

“Remember, a bank or another official authority will not ask you to share personal information over text or phone. If you think you have received a fraudulent text message, report it by forwarding it to 7726.”

How to protect yourself from potential phishing text messages:

• Most phone providers are part of a scheme that allows customers to report suspicious text messages for free by forwarding it to 7726. If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it’s found to be malicious.
• If you’ve lost money or provided financial information as a result of a phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.ukor by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.