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34-year-old arrested over a scam that targeted more than 80 phone numbers in a possible attempt to bypass multi-factor authentication.
A 43-year-old Lynbrook man faced court yesterday over an alleged phone porting scam that targeted 86 mobile numbers with 193 port-in attempts.
Porting scams transfer the mobile number of an identity theft victim to another SIM card, allowing the scammer to intercept phone messages and possibly bypass multi-factor authentication protections.
Such scams are often used to illegally access bank accounts and similar personal information.
The Australian Federal Police were warned of the alleged scam campaign by an un-named Australian telco after it detected multiple attempts to port phone numbers to its network.
The AFP executed a search warrant at the man’s property on March 4 and seized mobile phones, a desktop computer, SIM cards and drug paraphernalia. The electronic items are undergoing forensic analysis.
“Mobile phones are an integral part of our modern lives but have also become a target for potential scammers,” AFP Detective Superintendent Bernard Geason said in a statement..
“I urge people to be alert to unexpected text messages from your mobile service provider saying “you” have requested your number be ported to a different network provider. This could indicate a scammer is trying to port your phone.
“Alternatively, if your mobile phone service is suddenly disconnected, or shows ‘SOS only’, this could also be a warning sign your number has been transferred to another provider without your authorisation.
“If you believe you have been the victim of an unauthorised porting attempt, it’s critical to contact your mobile phone provider immediately, and contact your bank to take steps to put a freeze or hold on banking transfers and cancel any potentially affected cards.
“Finally, report the incident to ReportCyber.”
The man was charged with knowingly causing an unauthorised modification of data, with reckless disregard as to whether the modification impaired access, or the reliability, security or operation of other data, and could face up to ten years in prison if found guilty.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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