DOHA: An investigation by a special team into SMS fraud has led to the arrest of 31 people, all of whom have been referred to the Public Prosecution. Investigations revealed QR10mn had been siphoned off people’s bank accounts and transferred outside the country.
The special team was formed by the Economic and Electronic Crimes Department after reports started flowing in of SMS frauds and innocent people losing money.
Clearly, the scam had been going on for some time as investigators said 4,000 SIM cards had been used over a period of two years to perpetrate the fraud.
The modern-day crime involves people sending texts allegedly from banks and the like and hoodwinking people into divulging financial information, such as debit or credit card passwords, CVV numbers and so on.
As soon as the information is innocently provided, the scamsters swoop and drain money out of accounts or make lavish online purchases. Often, the cash is transferred out of the country.
The special investigation team, in coordination with the Criminal investigation Department, conducted raids at various locations and arrested the suspects having kept a close watch on them over a period of time.
SIM cards were tracked and monitored as were suspicious movements of funds. The raids netted the suspects and their partners in crime overseas – presumably those who received the funds – identified.