Gold Coast raids: Two Chinese nationals arrested over online phishing scam involving 1.7m fake texts
Police have raided a Gold Coast home and charged two Chinese nationals over an alleged online phishing scam involving the sending of more than 1.7 million fake text messages.
On March 23, police executed a search warrant at a home in Southport and found two SIM boxes and SIM cards which they allege were used to send the text messages.
After an investigation, a man and a woman, both 37 years old, were arrested at the home on April 18.
Police claim the SIM boxes were used to send more than 1.7 million scam messages
Police allege the boxes were used to send fraudulent links that directed victims to fake websites with the aim of stealing money and identity information
Police allege that the SIM boxes were used to send more than 1.7 million scam messages pretending to be from legitimate organizations over a two-week period in February this year.
Detectives determined the SIM boxes were able to send bulk text messages over Australian telecommunications networks.
They claim that the boxes have been used to send fraudulent links that direct victims to fake websites with the aim of stealing money and identity information.
The pair have been charged with obtaining or dealing with identifying information and using a telecommunications network with intent to facilitate the commission of a serious crime.
They will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Two individuals have been charged with obtaining or dealing with identifying information and using a telecommunications network with the intent to facilitate the commission of a serious crime