Ex-POGO Security Guard Was Arrested For Selling Illegal Fake Cell Towers

An ex-security guard of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) was arrested by the Philippine National Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) because of illegal selling of fake cell towers.

In one of the press conference done at Camp Crame, Brig. Bernard Yang, the ACG chief, stated that an entrapment operation on Thursday made way to the arrest of the aforementioned suspect, a 40-year-old ex-security guard, with an alias of "Dante."

There was an offer of an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher worth P 600,000.00 posted on social media, according to The Philippine News Agency.

"Sa pag cyber patrol nila, they were able to chance upon yung nagbebenta nito," --Brig. Gen. Yang

"Ito ay nakita sa isang social media platform na kung saan yung grupo ay galing doon sa mga former POGO employees or operators."

IMSI acts like a rogue cell tower, cell site simulator, drop box and "stingrays".

It collects the IMSI numbers of mobile devices, which then allows scammers to track the owner's locations and activity.

This would provide them with the capability to gain access to the mobile number's owners to their private text messages, calls, and other data traffic.

With this information at hand, the scammers would be able to send scam messages at bulk without needing databases, SIM cards, or Wi-Fi.

Brig. Gen. Yang also warns that this device could also be used by a malicious individual to do scamming, spreading disinformation, and election campaigning. 

The ex-POGO security guard faces charges for violating the following laws, Cybercrime Prevention Act, Data Privacy Act, Philippine Radio Station and Radio Communication Act and Subscriber Identity Module (SiM) Registration Act.

Secretary Ivan Uy of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) also said that using IMSI catchers could also provide electoral candidates an advantage by sending campaign texts en masse.

Source: technology.inquirer.net/

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