Fake Base Station for Sending Phishing Texts Smashed by Thai Police

Thailand's Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau arrested two Chinese nationals on Thursday for allegedly sending phishing text messages.

The Bureau, working with Thai telecommunication service provider Advanced Info Service (AIS) to combat the scam, launched an arrest operation against the suspects at a Bangkok condominium and seized the equipment they used in their car to send scam text messages.

According to information provided by AIS, the suspects drove their car around shopping malls and communities in Bangkok to send messages to mobile devices around the area, disguised as official AIC messages.

The content of the texts contained a phishing link. Users who clicked on the link would have malware installed on their devices and have their personal information stolen.

After receiving a report from AIS, police and the operator's engineers used tracking equipment to locate the vehicle driven by the suspect. Police then followed the vehicle to the suspects' apartment and arrested them.

Inside the vehicle, police found a “fake base station” device used to send the messages, as well as cell phones, bank passbooks, ATM cards, and SIM cards in the apartment.

Waroonthep Watcharaporn, head of AIS's business relations, urged cell phone users not to click on suspicious links or disclose their personal information. Users who suspect they have been scammed can report the incident to AIS and the company will hand over the information to the relevant investigative authorities.