[bots]

Eight men have been arrested in dawn raids targeting scam text messages.

The suspects were allegedly involved in sending fake messages, primarily posing as Royal Mail and asking people to pay a fee to retrieve a parcel.

The men were arrested in Birmingham, Coventry, London and Colchester, Essex, a specialist unit of the City of London and Metropolitan Police said.

A man from London was charged with three offences and the others were released under investigation.

The charged man, from Enfield, will appear at Inner London Crown Court on 21 June.

He faces charges of fraud by false representation; possession of articles for use in fraud; possession of criminal property (money laundering), a spokeswoman for the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU) said.

The unit added the arrests were made as part of a week of action against scam messages.

Such messages, known as "smishing" texts, steal a victim's personal and bank details by getting them to follow a link to a fake version of a trusted website.

Det Ch Insp Gary Robinson, head of the DCPCU, said it was working with Royal Mail, the financial services sector and mobile phone networks to fight the crime.

"Ongoing investigations are now under way and we will continue to work together to bring those committing smishing scams to justice," he said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57226704

[Dogeatdog]

Honestly there’s so many of these texts scams going about one was bound to get caught eventually. I’ve had these messages “from” HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Halifax (never realised I apparently banked at so many branches ) even GOV.UK.

[arista]

About time, they arrested
these Scum.

[UserSince2005]

Name and shame them. I want photos to confirm.

[bots]

they should publish all their bank details

[hijaxers]

Well its good news but there are so many scammers now that most people don't answer their phones unless its a number they know and same with texts.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

they should publish all their bank details

it would be what they deserve

great that they were caught though, makes a change

[Swan]

Originally Posted by Dogeatdog

Honestly there’s so many of these texts scams going about one was bound to get caught eventually. I’ve had these messages “from” HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Halifax (never realised I apparently banked at so many branches ) even GOV.UK.

The Bank texts i get always make me chuckle, reminds me of George Agdgdgwngo from Fonejacker.

Next they'll be telling me im owed 98 thousand Ugandan Dollars

[rusticgal]

I got one yesterday from The Royalmail....asking me for 1.99. I am waiting for a parcel so thought it may have been something to do with that. When it started asking for account number and sort code the penny dropped.
Many other people would have done it...it looked authentic.

Glad they have got them...so many scams like this going on atm...

[Dogeatdog]

Originally Posted by Swan

The Bank texts i get always make me chuckle, reminds me of George Agdgdgwngo from Fonejacker.

Next they'll be telling me im owed 98 thousand Ugandan Dollars

Aww man I loved that show

”We just need to obtain your bank account details so we can pay the monies directly into your bank account”

“YOURE AVIN A ****ING LAUGH AINT YA? YOU THINK IM GONNA FOOL FOR THAT?? I SUPPOSE YOU WANT A CREDIT CARD NUMBER AS WELL DON’T YOU!?”

“Well if you have one to give us sir that would be even better”

[Dogeatdog]

Oh I got a new one of these today as well. Apparently I haven’t filled out the Census yet and I’ve been sent a link to fill it out otherwise I could be fined £1000. It was sent of a mobile number

[Jake.]

Good, I’ve been constantly getting these as of late