Senate investigation into text scams pushed | ABS-CBN
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Senate investigation into text scams pushed
Senate investigation into text scams pushed
MANILA — As authorities continue to find thousands of SIM cards in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), Senator Joel Villanueva cited the need to investigate what he calls an “unprecedented number of gambling-related text scams and the use, sale, and importation of cell site simulators” used in sending deceptive texts.
MANILA — As authorities continue to find thousands of SIM cards in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), Senator Joel Villanueva cited the need to investigate what he calls an “unprecedented number of gambling-related text scams and the use, sale, and importation of cell site simulators” used in sending deceptive texts.
In Senate Resolution 1057 filed on Thursday, Villanueva directed the Senate to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
In Senate Resolution 1057 filed on Thursday, Villanueva directed the Senate to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
According to the Resolution, about 80,000 unregistered SIMs allegedly used for text spam blasts and online love scams were discovered in Xinchuang Network Technology, Inc. during a raid on June 27, 2023.
According to the Resolution, about 80,000 unregistered SIMs allegedly used for text spam blasts and online love scams were discovered in Xinchuang Network Technology, Inc. during a raid on June 27, 2023.
Xinchuang was a registered POGO in Las Piñas.
Xinchuang was a registered POGO in Las Piñas.
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Two months later, 28,000 registered and unregistered SIMs were confiscated from SA Rivendell Global Support, a POGO in Pasay.
Two months later, 28,000 registered and unregistered SIMs were confiscated from SA Rivendell Global Support, a POGO in Pasay.
SIMs were also found in a raid on March 2024 in Zun Yuan Technology, Inc., an illegal POGO in Bamban, Tarlac.
SIMs were also found in a raid on March 2024 in Zun Yuan Technology, Inc., an illegal POGO in Bamban, Tarlac.
The resolution said cell site simulators which are also known as stingrays or international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers are used by scammers to “mimic mobile numbers to deceive users into thinking that they are receiving legitimate text messages from legitimate companies."
The resolution said cell site simulators which are also known as stingrays or international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers are used by scammers to “mimic mobile numbers to deceive users into thinking that they are receiving legitimate text messages from legitimate companies."
From January to May 2024, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has received 36,776 complaints, 45% of which were call and text scams, 30% containing game links, and 25% having bank links and other kinds of fraud and harassment.
From January to May 2024, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has received 36,776 complaints, 45% of which were call and text scams, 30% containing game links, and 25% having bank links and other kinds of fraud and harassment.
“There is a need for government to review and determine whether the available mechanisms to address text scams are efficient,” the resolution read.
“There is a need for government to review and determine whether the available mechanisms to address text scams are efficient,” the resolution read.
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