MANILA, PHILIPPINES — A Philippine joint operation resulted in the arrest of an alleged supplier of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers.
IMSI catchers mimic official cell towers so that nearby phones will link to them.
READ: How to avoid Gmail verification scams
The devices are also known as “Stingrays,” rogue cell towers, fake cell towers, cell site simulators or drop boxes.
As a result, scammers can track peoples’ locations, activities, text messages, calls and data traffic.
IMSI supplier for text scams caught
On October 29, 2024, the Cyber Patrolling and Intelligence Unit (CPIU) found a Facebook page titled “SMS Machine Broadcast Asia.”
A cyber patroller confirmed that the account was selling an SMS machine blaster dubbed “Octopus 5G” for $9,500.
In response, the CICC monitored the company connected to the sketchy account.
“We patiently waited for the big fish to surface before we conducted the operation,” CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos explained.
Later, they conducted a joint operation with the following government agencies to apprehend its leader:
- Philippine National Police – Anti-cybercrime Group
- Bureau of Immigration (BI)
- National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
They identified the suspect as Thiang Choon Wee, a Malaysian who they believe to be the head of a syndicate that supplies IMSI catchers for use in text scams.
Also, they confiscated his possessions, which are the following:
- 6 pieces of ₱1,000 bills
- 594 pieces of fake ₱1,000 bills
- One SMS Blaster Machine with Antenna and Signal Jammer
- One piece of mobile phone Honor Color Sky Blue with IMEI 861284075770923
- 1 black cable
- 1 iPhone 14 color black
- One Globe SIM card
- One Malaysian passport with #A62104398
“Last year, after the president announced to shut down all POGOs, there was a shift in technology… where they are using IMSI catchers,” Ramos explained during an interview.
He added that going after operators is not enough, so finding their IMSI suppliers is a more effective, long-term solution.
“Hindi papayag ang gubyernong ito, lalong-lalo na ang sambayanang Pilipino, na paglaruan tayo ng mga dayuhang scammer. Lalabanan natin ito,” Ramos said.
(The government, especially the Filipino people, will not allow foreign scammers to fool us. We will fight this.)