GSM line cloning hits Lagos

FRAUDULENT cloning of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) lines, using ICT devices, is gradually joining the growing number of crimes perpetrated on cyberspace.



According to findings, perpetrators of the new trick use latest technology to duplicate telephone lines of their targets. In turn, these are used to swindle their associates, friends and relations, who are deceived into believing instructions from the cloned lines (usually pleas for financial favour) are sent from original GSM line owners.

It was also learnt that those who are involved operate as syndicates, relying on previous correspondences of their victims. Some of these are obtained from relatives or house helps to swindle unsuspecting telephone users.

The Guardian was informed that many residents of Lagos have fallen victim of this latest form of fraud, as the trend, also, spreads gradually to other Nigeria's major cities.

A reliable source said the swindlers recently hoodwinked some staff members of the University of Lagos. An unknown person was said to have used a telephone number of a certain professor to send text messages to the professor's colleagues.

Findings revealed that the message came to individual recipients, requesting they send N10, 000 each to the professor's nephew (via a bank account quoted in the message). It stated the professor could not meet the obligation because he was out of the country. As it turned out, the sender of the message had forwarded the same text to all close associates of the professor. Contrary to the fraudster's claim, the don was in Lagos.

One of the receivers said the text showed it had been sent from his colleague's phone, hence, he could not doubt its authenticity. He was skeptical, however, wondering why his colleague chose to send a text rather than make a voice call.

He said just before he would respond to the request he found the same message had been sent to all close associates of the professor.

Recently, a chief medical director of a Lagos-based hospital almost lost huge amounts of money to swindlers through a similar scam.

Unlike the UNILAG incident, an individual was said to have taken a cheque, purportedly drafted by the medical doctor to a bank. The bank called the owner of the cheque for confirmation and somebody, who claimed to the doctor, picked the call, confirming the order.

Not convinced by the voice, the bank official called the fixed line in the account mandate, only to be told the doctor had not written the cheque. During the transaction, the account owner had his line. But it was found to be inactive.

While the technology employed for Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and telephone card cloning are different, a source hinted that the crime is perpetrated by the same syndicates who regularly switch from one form or fraud to the other, depending on public awareness level. They are also said to operate with international allies where they import skills and technology.