Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged a man following the discovery of five SIM boxes in a storage unit, allegedly responsible for sending tens of thousands of fraudulent text messages across Australia.
Strike Force Kanbi was established by State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad to investigate the use of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) boxes, which are an electronic device used to send bulk text messages across the Australian telecommunications network containing fraudulent links.
The text messages typically pertain to be a legitimate institution containing a fraudulent link, directing the victim to an illegitimate website for the purpose of financial gain.
About 7.45am yesterday (Wednesday 13 November 2024), strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a storage unit in Rosebery.
In the unit, police located and seized the five SIM boxes, computers, phones, SIM cards and network equipment.
Each SIM box was loaded with up to 32 SIM cards subscribed in false identities capable of sending tens of thousands of spam messages each day.
A 24-year-old man was arrested nearby and taken to Mascot Police Station where he was charged with use equipment connected to network to commit serious offence, and dishonestly obtain/deal in personal financial.
He was refused bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court today (Thursday 14 November 2024).
Police will allege in court the man was operating a number of SIM boxes from the location which were responsible for sending tens of thousands of fraudulent messages.
