Why fraud evolves, and how to address it
Fraudsters are business people. When one route to generate revenue is closed, they will open another. Equally, when one issue for a network operator disappears, it is commonplace for that revenue loss to move to another method of fraud, rather than disappearing entirely. For the network, it does not matter if they are experiencing SIM […]
Key fraud issues service providers need to know about
The Communications Fraud Control Association’s (CFCA) annual fraud survey provides telecoms fraud managers with an assessment of the key revenue threats from fraud. The latest survey identified the top frauds committed against service providers. $10.76 B (USD) – International Revenue Share Fraud (IRSF) International Revenue Share Fraud has been an issue for more than a […]
SIM Box fraud and OTT bypass biggest threats to mobile operator revenues
Mobile network operators have lost 20% of termination revenues to OTT hijack in the last 12 months on average, with some operators losing more than 70%, according to a new survey conducted by anti-fraud specialist Revector. SIM Box fraud and OTT hijack remain two of the major threats to mobile operator revenues with more than […]
New EU regulations may result in increased SIM Box Fraud
From June 2017, mobile roaming charges will be completely abolished within the EU, meaning consumers will be charged the same rate for using their mobile phone in the EU as they would be if they were at home. Whilst this landmark announcement is great news for mobile phone users, the new regulations could have a […]
Unintended consequences
by Mark Yelland Apple repays parents $32.5 million in in-app purchases At first glance, there seems to be nothing untoward about the settlement, and many are likely to see it as a reasonable decision – although it did not go to court and so no legal precedent has been set. For telecoms fraud professionals, the […]
Android unlocks new grey routes for SMS bypass
By Andy Gent Warnings issued by the UK’s mobile operators to customers using text-message-relaying apps indicate this latest fad could be used for generating SMS bypass, a fraudulent activity on the network. The apps exploit the unlimited text allowance subscribers receive from the operator and the ability to relay an unlimited number of text messages […]
International SIM Box syndicate broken by anti fraud collaboration
By Dilip Mistry A clampdown on SIM Box fraud in Ghana has led to an anti fraud collaboration between the National Communications Authority (NCA), all telecom service providers in the country and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. The operations have already led to the arrest of a six-member SIM Box […]
Liberian operator Novafone left fighting for survival in wake of SIM Box fraud allegations
By Andy Gent The result of high level SIM Box fraud at Novafone, which has seen the operator’s ISP Supervisor Hussein Dakroub implicate CEO Chady Salim, is now threatening the commercial survival of the company. Salim’s removal from the company this week raises further questions about his alleged role in the fraud which has been […]
Clarion call to raise fraud awareness in Ghana
By Dilip Mistry In response to the increasingly sophisticated methods being used to target and defraud Ghanaian citizens, SpyGhana.com is calling for greater awareness with the introduction of a ‘Fraud Prevention’ month. The proposed annual event would be designed to give private and public organisations involved in the fight against fraud and corruption an opportunity […]
GSM Gateways back in the High Court
We were interested to read that six UK telecoms companies have appeared in court this month to challenge Government rule changes over GSM Gateways which they claim were unlawful. The litigation has been rumbling on since 2009 when former GSM Gateway operator VIP Communications filed a £625 million damages claim against T-Mobile. Terminated by T-Mobile […]