PNP-ACG: 2 nabbed for alleged SMS phishing in Mandaluyong, Makati

Two men were recently arrested in separate operations in Mandaluyong City and Makati City for their alleged involvement in SMS phishing scams, the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group said on Monday.

In a press briefing, ACG acting director Police Brigadier General Bernard Yang said law enforcers implemented Warrants to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECDs) against the suspects on Oct. 16.

“We were able to arrest two.. Ito yung mga equipment na gamit nitong mga suspects. We have the [international mobile subscriber identity] catcher, text blasters, and other ICT equipment,” Yang said.

(We were able to arrest two… These are the equipment used by the suspects. We have the IMSI catcher, text blasters, and other ICT equipment.)

Four IMSI catchers and other illegal devices used for text blasting were seized from the suspects. These were turned over to the National Telecommunications Commissions (NTC) for examination.

SMS phishing or smishing is the fraudulent practice of sending text messages that pretend to be from a company, government, or person in order to induce victims to reveal their personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

The ACG said they received an intelligence report about the presence of several individuals on board vehicles with IMSI catchers. The vehicles were seen roaming around Makati City, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), and Mall of Asia (MOA) while supposedly sending smishing links.

“Through rigorous investigation and surveillance, in collaboration with the Philippine Navy (PN), the PNP ACG gathered substantial evidence pointing to the suspects’ involvement in the illicit activity,” the ACG said.

“These pieces of evidence served as the basis for the issuance of the WSSECDs, which were subsequently implemented at the suspects’ identified residences and vehicles reportedly used in the smishing operations,” it added.

One of the suspects is now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 3846 or the Regulation of Public and Radio Communication, in relation to National Telecommunications Commission Memorandum Order No. 01-02-2013 and RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The other suspect is facing a complaint for violating RA 3846 as amended by RA 584 and the 2022 SIM Registration Act and 2012 Data Privacy Act — all in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. — JMA, GMA Integrated News