SMS Scam ( 11 ) : Let the suffering fools speak, again and again
READ THIS SERIES if you are a mobile user!
Teaser: 3xxxx short code and SMS scam
SMS Scam ( 1 ): Explain this, Maxis
SMS Scam ( 2 ): It's an organised white-collar crime
SMS Scam ( 3 ): Let the suffering fools speak
SMS Scam ( 4 ): The bad boys... Celcos? CPs? MCMC?
SMS Scam ( 5 ): The 'Copy & Paste' version of Maxis Preventive Gateway
SMS Scam ( 6 ): Let the suffering fools speak, sgain
SMS Scam ( 7 ): Transcript - Rosli Shukor's parting shot at MPG on May 14
SMS Scam ( 8 ): MPG API - Now you see (May 15), now you don't (May 16)!
SMS Scam ( 9 ): Explain these, please!
SMS Scam ( 10 ) Get the Celcos to go Dutch!
SMS SCam ( 11 ): Let the suffering fools speak, sgain and again
SMS Scam ( 12 ): How big is the gravy train for multi-passengers?
SMS Scam ( 13 ): Industry Survey: Majority wants 'Cowboy CPs' removed
SMS Scam ( 14 ): What's up, Doc?
SMS Scam ( 15 ): Civil Action: Report to Commercial Crime Division?
More victims of the SMS Scam, involving Maxis and their external Content Providers, have come forward with relevant information. Is Mr MCMC acting?
Email #11:
From: Ezham Abdul Khalid
To: jeffooi.screenshots@gmail.com
Date: May 22, 2007 10:03 AM
Subject: SMS Scam
Dear Jeff,
I am providing you with my proof of the SMS scam by MacroK SMS.
This has been going on for the past THREE MONTHS. The first month (March bill-not enclosed), I received only a few RM4 SMSes, which I took very lightly and just ignored them. However, in the following April bill (enclosed), I was charged a whopping total of RM70 i.e. RM4 for every 2 days.
I called Maxis. I called the CP, MacroK SMS. Maxis denied and asked me to call the CP. MacroK SMS claimed that I had subscribed the SMS downloads. In order for me to get my money back, I just have to show my statement and make an official complaint. As easy as that!
I had since terminated the services (and also screwed Maxis & Macro SMS along the way). My latest bill (May-enclosed) only has a few of these SMSes to sort out.
Thanks Jeff for highlighting. I thought I had to take this up on my own.
Regards,
Ezham

SOURCE: Ezham bin Abdul Khalid... Maxis bill March 2007

SOURCE: Ezham bin Abdul Khalid... Maxis bill April 2007
Read on for more SMS Scam exposé!
Email #12:
From: Jodern
To: jeffooi.screenshots@gmail.com
Date: May 18, 2007 10:20 PM
Subject: Look out besides the Extra Content Provider fields .... ( refer to the posts about the SMS Scams )
Dear Jeff ,
Thanks for putting out the news of SMS Scam out under the sun.
Besides the External Content Provider field ...
Look for the Info/Content SMS Request ... ( @RM0.15 ) . I called Maxis ( hotline 123 ) ask them what is the means of the charges. From the responds of them, they said that it is related to the Easy Access menu.
But compare to what they give me as the date and time of my SMS traces, after compare to the message which still stored in my phone, I find out that it is the stop message that I send to the content provider ( only in one of the months bills ). I did not recall I have use any Easy Access menu function in past couple of months. ( except
for the February's bill ).
I'm also one of the victim of the SMS scam. But I have call Maxis at once when I receive the message. But still being charged RM0.60 for 2 message.( February's bill ).
RM0.60 is small amount compare to any one of the listed person's mail in your posts. But I just a Fresh Graduates who just entered the working fields and sign up for a post-paid mobile line for about 5 months, I have to be very careful of spending any amount of money. As the pay for us is not much when adding other expenses in the month.
I just hoping to bring the alert of the extra charging of the Info/Content thingy ...
If you have not use the Easy Access feature in past months, but still being charged, Beware !
Attached is portion of my past 4 month's bills .
Regards,
Jodern Yap.

SOURCE: Jodern Yap... Maxis bill January 2007

SOURCE: Jodern Yap... Maxis bill March 2007

SOURCE: Jodern Yap... Maxis bill April 2007

SOURCE: Jodern Yap... Maxis bill May 2007
Email #13:
From: Vincent Tay
To: jeffooi.screenshots@gmail.com
Date: May 19, 2007 12:00 AM
Subject: SMS SCAM SINCE RAMADHAN 2005!
Dear Jeff,
Thank you for exposing the large-scale scam.
If you would recall, I emailed my complaint to you about the new prepaid Hotlink simcard I bought during the Ramadhan month of 2005.
Barely two hours after I activated that simcard, I received a hadis quotation and my credit was depleted by RM2.
The following four(4) days I received the other hadis quotations and for each hadis, I was charged RM2.
During those five days I did not know what to do as I did not subscribe to any CP. On the sixth day I was lucky to come across the sms number of the hadis CP while watching TV3 and I quickly send out an sms to stop the hadis sms.
After reading my email, you were of the opinion that I might have bought a “recycled” simcard.
On hindsight, was this not the work of the “World’s Greatest Conmen”?
Keep up the good job, brother.
Email #14:
From: neoh98
To: jeffooi.screenshots@gmail.com
Date: May 19, 2007 3:19 AM
Subject: SMS Scam - Possibly Another Loophole !
Hi Jeff,
A friend who used to work in a CP company gives his reason why some users who just bought a new mobile number is immediately charged for 3xxxx service that they never request for. This happens when the mobile number is a recycled number and the former user of the number terminates the line after failure to resolve the 3xxxx service. Terminating the line does not automatically remove the mobile number from CP's database. Celcos recycle the terminated numbers to new customers after a period of time.
As such, unlucky customer who buy the affected recycled mobile number will find their number being charged for services that they never request for. Hopefully you may enquire MCMC or relevant parties whether that is possible or is there any mechanism to remove a mobile number from CP's database before it's recycled as new number.
BTW, I'm also a victim of the SMS scam faced by you. It happened in March 2007 whereby my DIGI number was charged by 3 CPs for services that I never requested for. I'm able to get refund after making numerous complaints to MCMC and CPs' hotline.
I salute you for what you have done for Malaysian.
Regards,
Neo
Email #15:
From: CL Chia
To: jeffooi.screenshots@gmail.com
Date: May 19, 2007 12:05 PM
Subject: SMS Scam
hi jeff,
after check my online bill, I also notice that I had be scam by Maxis/CP. Here is screenshot of my bill. IF u need original bil in pdf form, plse let me know.
Thanks.
CL. Chia

SOURCE: CL Chia... Maxis bill April 2007
Email #16:
From: Victor Lam
To: jeffooi.screenshots@gmail.com
Date: May 19, 2007 8:27 PM
Subject SMS Scam
Hi Jeff.
actually i am another victim of the scam. Attached herewith the evidence of my phone bills. After I called to block the numbers (MicroK, Mobile365), I received Airocom, MNC and Zed. I called Maxis to block again.
Hopefully I can't see any external content provider in my next bill.
Thank you.
Regards,
Victor

SOURCE: Victor Lam... Maxis bill March 2007

SOURCE: Victor Lam... Maxis bill April 2007
Email #17:
From: SK
To: jeffooi.screenshots@gmail.com
Date: May 22, 2007 1:42 AM
Subject Fwd: Fw: Maxis bill statement Account 820265759 dated 17/05/2007
Hi Jeff,
Please find the attachment as part of the evidence that can help. The victim is my gf's sister (Soo Tsui Sun).
Cheers,
SK

SOURCE: Soo Tsui Sun... Maxis bill May 2007
Email #18:
From: Chan Kelwin Hillary
To: jeffooi.screenshots@gmail.com
Date: May 19, 2007 1:29 AM
Subject: SMS from 3xxxx
Hi Jeff,
I've been reading your posts about the SMS scams. I wrote a post about 3 SMS I got from 3xxxx numbers since the past 5 weeks entitled, "Sex: Ridiculous SMS Marketing Strategy" at http://www.tenthofmarch.com/2007/05/15/sex-ridiculous-sms-marketing-strategy/ (in case you want to check it out).
The 3 sms were promoting animated wallpapers. However, they contain strong sexual messages.
FOC:Yes Honeyy..?SO nicee..do U Want CUMming tonight?Lets have fun together..U sure like it!SMSto 32520 for animation girl; wa/paper.eCe
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FOC:Abg tgh buat apa kat situ?Jgn pura2,I tau abg fikir apa.Baiklah,Cepat htr sms
ke 32520, biar Ina tunaikan impian abg sepjang hari.JaminCUN! RM1/smseC
![]()
FOC:Jiwaku gersang?sudikah "AWAK" jadi pghibur 12 tgahmlm?jika ya,SMS
ke 33377 utk gmbr gadis ANIMASI; gadis W/PAPER eCrm1/sms
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I attached a zip file containing screenshots of the SMS on my phone. The first SMS didn't state how much the reply will cost(not sure if this is legal). The third SMS had the price "hidden" after many many "new lines". I doubt any parents like the idea of their teenage kids receiving such SMSs.
By the way, I'm using 012 prepaid. So I don't have itemized billing. I sent a complaint letter to MCMC on 16/5/2007 12:12AM but have not received any reply.
--
Regards,
Chan Kelwin Hillary



Comments
Thanks Jeff for highlighting these daylight robberies. Shows that MCMC, the minister LKY and our MPs are sleeping on their job again. Infectious disease, is this not?
Posted by: Daily Nibbler
|
May 29, 2007 08:43 AM
What a shame!!!
I know Uncle Dr. Lim K Y. will strongly disagree with me and most probably in a frenzy mode of denies. But I still demand for his resignation anyway.
Posted by: jararaca
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May 29, 2007 09:11 AM
I have a MT&T SMS item in my bill. Called up Maxis 123, they claim to refund and bar it right on the spot.
In fact, I told them that I do not subscribe to and CP, and should I receive anymore CP billings I will demand an official written explanation.
Posted by: The Watch3R
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May 29, 2007 09:31 AM
My message to all Maxis subcribers involved; just terminate your Maxis line and switch to Celcom. Although Celcom is widely known as having below par customer services, at least they would never allow this scam to operate within it networks. Having 12 years get connected wirelessly via Celcom, I am glad to realise that I've never received unsolicited SMSes except from the Celcom itself and the rest are from other service providers which I did provide my mobile phone number to them. Glad to be with Celcom!!!!
Posted by: cicakman
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May 29, 2007 09:50 AM
All 3 celcos are guilty in some way or other of conning subscribers. Celcom, a few years back, was found to have made hidden charges to my post paid bill. On enquiry, promised to credit back amount, but did not.Terminated the line and migrated to DIGI post paid. Got scammed by unsolicited smses in early 2006. Called to unsubscribe but to no avail. Required to pay but in anger terminated the service. Migrated to Maxis prepaid recently, Got scammed by smses at RM2 a day every day until managed to stop the scam with the help phone dealer. So far so good. Complained to MCMC in early 2006 with scanned copies of bill proved futile. I think complain to cows will elicit a response, at least a moo.
Posted by: mohair sam
|
May 29, 2007 01:52 PM
In Celcom case, I just highlighted the telco only plus point is its capability in preventing unsolicited SMSes from been transmitted within its network. I didn't say CELCOM is the best mobile phone operator in this country retrospectively. True enough that its customer services is inferior relative to Maxis. But, at least Celcom does keep away its subcribers from this daylight robbery scam.
Posted by: cicakman
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May 29, 2007 04:00 PM
32520 and 33377 is owned by Ecentury Sdn Bhd. It is a subsidiary of M-Mode Bhd, listed on the MESDAQ Market. What a shame that listed companies are going out this way to earn money.
Posted by: baba
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May 29, 2007 09:23 PM
Referring to Chan Kelwin Hillary case above, despite ZED pride itself as the chairman of the MMCP association, they are also spamming and overcharging users. This industry is now turning to be a hopeless lot. Might as well just shut down the whole industry. Just like how the Government controlled the 600 premium numbers previously.
I think there is no bad egg or good egg in the industry, all are just stinking eggs. Shit them!
Posted by: baba
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May 29, 2007 09:28 PM
damm!!!!how can it happen !i was also the other who received this stupid sms!i received it every day in the evening !i only realise it after i received my billing!what the hell!!!i dun even know what it's?charging me for rm 4 persms!i think the service provider have to take a very serious action b4 u might actually loosing ur customer!
Posted by: MUNLIM
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September 14, 2007 10:24 AM