Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy shows ton Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 the photos of a machine capable of mass SMS (short messaging system) broadcasting even without internet connection which was confiscated from a Malaysian who was nabbed in an entrapment in Parañaque City.
Authorities are now conducting follow-up operations to identify the people or groups that purchased an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers from a 46-year old Malaysian who was arrested on Tuesday, Jan, 21, in Parañaque City.
In a press briefing with top officials of the police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Wednesday, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy said those who bought the machine may include politicians or candidates who want to take advantage of the technology for a wide reach.
Based on the investigation, the Malaysian offered SMS blaster machines on a Facebook page for P600,000.
The IMSI is capable of mass SMS (short messaging system) broadcasting without a database, SIM card, or internet connection.
IMSI catchers are used in text scams by mimicking cell towers and convincing nearby phones to connect to them.
Once connected, it can collect the IMSI numbers of devices and track their location and activity, as well as intercept text messages, calls, and data traffic.
The IMSI catchers are being used in scamming operations posing as telecommunication companies, banks and job recruiters.
Uy said that IMSI catchers could also be used during elections for text blasts, giving candidates an advantage by reaching a larger audience.
“In the past elections, we saw that these IMSI catchers were used for text blasting and before, there were politicians who were interested in buying this equipment,” said Uy.
“The demand for these IMSI catchers is high during elections because these can also be used for election purposes,” he added.
The seller
Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang, director of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group, said the Malaysian was arrested in an entrapment operation on Tuesday morning.
He said the operation stemmed from a monitored post that the suspect was selling "Octopus 5G" blaster which was dubbed as "SMS Machine Broadcast Asia".
“Our cyber patroller then messaged the suspect, expressing interest in purchasing and requesting a demonstration. The seller agreed to the terms, with payment to be made after picking up the device at the agreed location,” said Yang.
“This led to the planning of an entrapment operation, resulting in the suspect's arrest. Among the items confiscated was one SMS Blaster device with antenna and a signal jammer,” he added.
Illegal
Uy pointed out that it is illegal to sell and buy the machine.
He also warned politicians not to patronize and use the machine as this would put them in big trouble
“We would like to remind the candidates that these equipment are illegal, they are not licensed, they are subject to confiscation and criminal prosecution if you possess these devices,” said Uy.
The arrested Malaysian, he said, is now facing a string of criminal charges.
Backtracking
Uy said they will be coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration, Malaysian authorities and the governments of the countries where he first traveled and where he could have sold equipment as part of their investigation.
He said authorities are also conducting background investigations to identify those who already purchased the device in the country.
“Our best advice is for you to surrender the device voluntarily. Surrender it because we have already caught the supplier, so it’s just a matter of time before we find out who bought it. Once we know, we will go after you,” said Uy.