Embracing Technology

Just not long ago I published a post on email spam, Spam mail from ex-president’s son and mentioning the latest tactic of using mobile phone or SMS, true enough today I received one myself on my phone.

Due to the recent coverage on abuse of shortcodes and complaints from the public and even the publishing of non-compliants shortcode provider by MCMC somewhat able to deter or delay the frequent spamming using shortcodes.

It doesn’t stop SMS spammers anyway, due to the lucrative profit of getting mobile users to download ringtones or wallpapers from their shortcodes. A few ringgit from a single number will generate quite a substantial sum of profit from a bigger number of “spammed-subscribers”.

The MCMC rule is, a consumer has to request the service directly from a shortcode, and download the product/service for a mobile number to be eligible for charges.

The abuse on such service previously is, even if no service has been requested, a shortcode will just simply spam a mobile number randomly or whatever lucky number algorithm they call it, and charge the unsuspected “spammee”. The mobile users only will know if they get a bill statement. Too bad for prepaid users, which is why they are suggesting for prepaid users to have monthly bill as well.

Fast forward, the big piece of cake is still there, everybody wants to have a bite of it. The solution is to simply use a mobile number. In this case, the sms I received from +60172956034 with SMS content “Hi Susan! U nak download sexy girl movie clip & MP3 kan? taip ON MOV dan SMS ke 32312 utk Movie. Htr ON HIT ke 36989 untuk MP3 Truetone. Free Reg! From: ANN “

Smart, right? It seems like a SMS sent to a mistaken recipient, but if the user is really interested, he/she is to type the actual request to the shortcode, to download and be charged. (Which is compliant!) Not sure if they are going to reveal the charges though.

Trying to call the number will not establish a phone conversation as what I have tried.

I believe the SIM card is used purely for spamming and slotted into a GSM modem to send out sms and with the call functionality disabled.

A check on the shortcode via google pointed me to Maxis’s hotlink ECP info search page.

The two shortcodes in the sms belonged to two different companies. Not sure if it is their own service, or their clients abused their system. One thing for sure, they should bear responsiblity for whatever business used on their shortcode.

32312 – MCOM MEDIA TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD

36989 – IONNEX SDN BHD

Anyone received such SMS?