Foreign criminals likely behind text scams

PLDT's wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) on Friday said it has reasons to believe that foreign syndicates could be bankrolling text scams targeting Philippine telco customers.

"Based on our initial investigation and through our cooperation with law enforcement agencies and state investigators, it is highly possible that foreigners are behind the text scams that have plagued mobile users in the country. They are working with domestic operators to purchase prepaid SIMs in bulk and use these to send 'smishing' messages," Angel Redoble, FVP and chief information security officer of PLDT and Smart said in a statement.