Astana detains four over 150,000 phishing SMS sent via SMS-blaster
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Astana prosecutors have uncovered a group that sent about 150,000 phishing SMS messages to subscribers of Beeline, Kcell and Activ over four days using an SMS-blaster. The device mimicked a mobile base station and bypassed operator filters. Four suspects are in custody.
Key Facts
- Over four days, the phishing SMS messages impersonated well-known companies and led recipients to a fake site requesting card details, CVV codes and one-time SMS codes.
- The group gained access to users' confidential information and bank funds.
- In January, a foreign citizen from a Southeast Asian country recruited a local resident for money to organize the scheme in Kazakhstan.
- The Financial Monitoring Agency seized the SMS-blaster, and an expert examination classified it as special technical means for covert information gathering.
- The pre-trial investigation is being conducted under Article 399 Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which covers illegal manufacture, production, acquisition, sale or use of special technical means for secret information gathering.
SMS-Blaster Scheme
Astana prosecutors coordinated the operation that exposed a group sending mass phishing messages. In January, a foreign citizen from a Southeast Asian country recruited a local resident for money to organize illegal activity in Kazakhstan. Other people were brought into the scheme to keep the equipment running. The group used an SMS-blaster that imitated a cellular base station and bypassed operator filtration systems. Over four days, about 150,000 phishing SMS messages reached subscribers of Beeline, Kcell and Activ.
Fake Site and Device Seizure
The messages offered bonus exchanges on behalf of known companies and, when the link was clicked, redirected users to a fake website. The fake site asked for personal and banking data, including payment card details, CVV codes and SMS confirmation codes. The group gained access to users' confidential information and bank funds. The Financial Monitoring Agency seized the SMS-blaster, and an expert examination classified it as special technical means for covert information gathering. Four suspects are in custody, and the pre-trial investigation is being conducted under Article 399 Part 2 of the Criminal Code.
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Astana detains four over 150,000 phishing SMS sent via SMS-blaster
