Published: Wednesday September 4, 2013 MYT 5:58:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday September 4, 2013 MYT 6:08:09 PM
SIM card hijacking syndicate busted
BY FARIK ZOLKEPLI
Federal CCID director Comm Syed Ismail (second from left) showing the items seized from the syndicate.
KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate that used hijacked mobile phone SIM (subscriber identity module) cards to rob victims of more than RM100,000 worth of savings has been busted following the arrest of its mastermind, a 28-year-old African man.
Federal Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Syed Ismail Syed Azizan said the syndicate used software to hack a victim’s online bank account and gain important financial details.
They would then obtain a victim’s personal details such as MyKad numbers before reporting the SIM card stolen.
They would then pose as the victim, and use the new SIM card to obtain the TAC (transaction authorisation codes) required for online transaction before transferring a victim’s savings to an account belonging to another syndicate member.
Comm Syed Ismail said the case was uncovered when a 35-year-old administration officer reported the loss of RM5,000 on Aug 5.
"The victim revealed that his SIM card was not working two days prior to discovering the theft.
"We believe this was when the suspects hijacked his SIM card," he told a press conference in Bukit Perdana Wednesday.
Comm Syed Ismail said police investigated the case for about a month before finally tracking down the syndicate's mastermind in Bandar Sunway.
"We also detained his accomplices, a man and a woman, both Malaysians.
"We believe the syndicate is responsible for 10 such cases resulting in RM100,200 worth of losses to the victims," he said adding that the African man was out on bail for a 2011 Internet scam offence.
Comm Syed Ismail advised the public to diversify their online passwords for Internet banking and social media sites.
"Telcos provider must also practice stricter regulations when replacing SIM cards," he said.
