'SMS blaster' in car sent over 10,500 phishing messages as man drove around Singapore
A Malaysian man drove around Singapore for up to 12 hours a day with an "SMS blaster", transmitting more than 10,500 phishing messages to various mobile phone users in October and November 2025.The device mimicked a mobile network and pushed phishing messages to phones within its range, tricking users into providing their WhatsApp login details through a fraudulent webpage, CNA reported.More than 31,820 mobile phones came within the coverage area of the SMS blaster, and at least one victim reported losing more than $1,800 after transferring money to a third-party bank account.Ong Kak Seng, 28, took on the job after accumulating debts of around RM80,000 (S$24,900) with unlicensed moneylenders, according to The Straits Times.He was sentenced to a year and nine months' jail and fined $1,500 on Monday (Sept 14).Ong pleaded guilty to one count of cheating. He will serve an additional week in jail if he fails to pay the fine.
