Companies caught sending spam SMS

A joint investigation have found two companies in Hanoi, EMOBI and VNNET had been sending spams to users’ cell phones to advertise their services.

According to the investigators from the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT) and the Hanoi police, EMOBI uses Nokia 3110C cellular phones and a software called SMS Caster to deliver ads about their gambling and fortune-telling services to thousands of mobile phone users.

Within an hour, EMOBI’s spam system can deliver 800 messages through the number 8×14.

EMOBI’s business partners like Sun Media, Hello Media were also accused of using the same spam system.

Earlier, on April 7, the investigation team also discovered spam messages delivered by VNNET JSC, a company based in Tay Son Town, Hanoi.

VNNET delivered their spam SMS three times a week, sending 20,000 messages each time to advertise their mobile services via the number 8×32.

Heavy penalties are waiting for these SMS spammers, an investigator said.

Mobile phone users are advised not to text such numbers as 6xxx, 7xxx or 8xxxl, unless they want to have their accounts stolen.

In 2010, Ha Trung Communication JSC in Phuong Mai Ward, Hanoi was accused of using a SMS spam system to cheat hundreds of millions dong out of users’ accounts.

Ha Trung’s director, Luong Dang Son, delivered spam SMS to mobile phone users, asking them to text to his number 6×61, with x being any number from 1 to 9.

A message to 6×61 cost the user 15,000 dong.

The spam advertised a promotion program which would in fact never have a winner. – Tuoitre

Tags: spam SMS