Thailand: SMS Scam Operators Arrested, Subcontractors of a Chinese Network
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Thai police have arrested two young men in Bangkok for operating an SMS blaster hidden in their car. The device, capable of flooding passersby with phishing messages impersonating banks and government agencies, was part of a larger mobile hacking setup used to send thousands of fraudulent SMS messages.
The operation highlights the spread of transnational cybercrime networks in Asia, specializing in bank data theft through fake mobile alerts. According to investigators, the two suspects, aged 23 and 25, admitted working for a Chinese "boss," echoing a similar case earlier in August.
A Car with a Hidden SMS Blaster
The system included a rogue base station, a router, an independent power supply, and a "shark fin" antenna mounted on the roof to conceal the transmitter. The device mimicked a trusted mobile relay to trick nearby devices.
A System of Fraudulent SMS
The two arrested men drove through Bangkok's busiest districts, bombarding phones with malicious texts. These messages contained links to phishing sites designed to capture banking credentials and one-time passcodes.
Police reports indicate accounts were drained within minutes of data entry. The suspects claimed they sent about 10,000 SMS daily for around 3,300 baht (≈ $85) per day.
The Shadow of a Chinese Mastermind
During questioning, the suspects admitted being recruited by a Chinese "boss." One explained he was paid up to 3,300 baht (≈ $85) per day for two rounds, sending about 10,000 SMS daily.
He said he was contacted by a Cambodian intermediary, trained remotely, and equipped with devices shipped from abroad. A similar case earlier in August had already involved two Thais caught with the same setup in a Mazda.
A Web of International Links
Investigators are probing whether a single Chinese mastermind is behind both cases. They suspect broader links to Asian networks active in illegal call centers and large-scale SMS phishing operations.
The SMS blaster technique is not limited to Thailand. These devices, functioning like rogue antennas, can mass-broadcast messages to all phones within range. Comparable arrests have been reported in Indonesia, Qatar, and even Paris.
Thailand's Role in the Global Cybercrime Landscape
Thai police charged the suspects with fraud, illegal possession of telecom equipment, unauthorized operation of a radio station, and cybercrime violations. The central role of Chinese organizers, outsourcing operations to local recruits on daily pay, illustrates an industrial model of digital fraud.