Famous persons' photos, AI used in SIM-based scam

Backed by a search warrant, the National Bureau of Investigation (NB) Cybercrime Division seized 88,000 illegal SIM cards in an alleged cybercrime hub in Pasig City.

Four suspects were arrested in the operation.

According to a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta on Tuesday, the NBI said that the SIM cards are being used to send text blasts to scam Filipinos.

The NBI added that the scammers also use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to register the SIM cards under fake names of celebrities and public figures.

“Kunyare ang irerequest nila ay ‘Give me 10 words, tagalog version’ at the same time eto yung kaniyang nature. Definitely, magegenerate ngayon yung AI sa kanilang request at yun ngayon yung magfo-form part ng kanilang phishing link," said NBI Cybercrime Division chief Jeremy Lotoc.

"It’s very alarming kasi nowadays nagle-leverage ngayon yung ating mga cybercriminals with the AI technology," he added.

The NBI also seized a total of 113 SMS mode machineries, which were used to register 32 SIM cards within minutes.

“Nakita namin iba’t-ibang IDs with different names and different pictures. Lahat dito fake. May mga personalities diyan, may mga journalists, may mga actors na mga nandodoon at ito ay ginagamit pagregister nila sa SIM cards. Naaalala ninyo na kahit unggoy pwede pumasok or yung [cartoon] pwedeng pumasok. Kayo naman, kahit ano nalang kahit anong pangalan kahit anong picture tinatanggap ng SIM registration,” Lotoc said.

The NBI officer said the raided firm appeared "organized" and it holds its operations in different locations.

“Sa isang location, maybe [the] SMS department then other location far from that location would be the finance department. Assuming na mahuli natin yung isang location, the whole criminal network would not be affected that much kasi meron pa silang ibang department na nago-operate so ganun sila ka-organized,” Lotoc said.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News