Philippine authorities have announced the successful arrest of a Malaysian national suspected of leading a syndicate that supplies IMSI catchers used in text messaging scams. The arrest of Thiang Choon Wee on January 22, 2025, resulted from coordinated efforts between the Philippine National Police Anti-cybercrime Group, Bureau of Immigration, and National Telecommunications Commission. The arrest marks a significant development in the Philippines’ ongoing battle against SMS-based fraud, which has seen a dramatic increase in sophistication over the past year.
The investigation began when the Cyber Patrolling and Intelligence Unit identified a Facebook page called “SMS Machine Broadcast Asia” advertising an “Octopus 5G” SMS blaster device for $9,500. The discovery led to surveillance operations by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC). The use of such sophisticated equipment follows a pattern of escalating SMS fraud attempts in the Philippines, including a major SMS spoofing attack reported by Globe Telecom that targeted high-profile individuals.
“We patiently waited for the big fish to surface before we conducted the operation,” said CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos. The arrest yielded significant evidence, including an SMS Blaster Machine with antenna and signal jammer, multiple mobile devices, and both legitimate and counterfeit Philippine currency.
Among the items seized were 6 genuine ₱1,000 bills, 594 counterfeit ₱1,000 notes, two mobile phones including an iPhone 14, a Globe SIM card, and the suspect’s Malaysian passport. The confiscated IMSI catcher equipment represents a growing trend in telecommunications fraud technology. These devices work by mimicking legitimate cell towers to intercept mobile communications and can be used to harvest phone numbers for mass SMS scam operations.
“Last year, after the president announced to shut down all POGOs, there was a shift in technology… where they are using IMSI catchers,” said Ramos. He emphasized that targeting IMSI suppliers, rather than just operators, represents a more effective strategy for long-term fraud prevention. The strategy supports broader industry efforts, including PLDT and Smart’s planned launch of new anti-scam services aimed at protecting Philippine consumers from sophisticated fraud attempts.
Sources: Inquirer Technology, Security Affairs, NetSource One, The Indian Express
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