Mobile phone users are being tricked and scammed.

The scandal involving the wiretapping of over 14,000 smartphone accounts had barely subsided when, recently, the PC50 unit of the Hanoi City Police Department initiated legal proceedings against IMMC Joint Stock Company (No. 28, Alley 139, Le Thanh Nghi Street, Dong Tam Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi) for using the "mmoney.vn digital content marketplace" which concealed software that automatically sent text messages to defraud mobile subscribers.

Smartphone users need to choose reliable and reputable applications.

The scandal involving the wiretapping of over 14,000 smartphone accounts had barely subsided when, recently, the PC50 unit of the Hanoi City Police Department initiated legal proceedings against IMMC Joint Stock Company (No. 28, Alley 139, Le Thanh Nghi Street, Dong Tam Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi) for using the "mmoney.vn digital content marketplace" which concealed software that automatically sent text messages to defraud mobile subscribers.

Losing money without knowing it.

The "mmoney.vn digital content marketplace" compiles over 300 applications featuring images and clips of scantily clad models in bikinis, designed to entice smartphone users to view or download content. However, this curiosity leads to a price to pay, because once accessed, the software hidden within the applications sends text messages from the user's phone number to a premium rate number (usually 15,000 VND per message), resulting in continuous deductions from the user's mobile account or a skyrocketing bill without the subscriber knowing why.

Another fraudulent practice revealed by a mobile network operator involves individuals or content providers (CPs) engaging in deceptive practices by sending banner ads, pop-up ads, or links to smartphone users. Subscribers simply tap on these links, and the hidden software automatically triggers a message to activate a service. These CPs then receive a share of the revenue deducted from the subscriber's account, even though the subscriber did not register for the service.

It's worth noting that, with many services activated unintentionally, users can pay from a few thousand dong to 20-30 thousand dong per day, week, or month subscription, so they often don't notice and find it difficult to detect.

In the case of IMMC Company, the hidden software applications that automatically send messages were distributed online by a network of thousands of "collaborators," resulting in over 800,000 victims and more than 9 billion VND in stolen subscription fees.

Warning from the network provider.

According to an unnamed network operator, after some content providers (CPs) engaged in fraudulent practices by using banner ads to send automated service activation messages, forcing users to pay for services they didn't want, the network operator cut off the connection to stop this behavior. However, according to the same network operator, a new tactic involves using applications to simulate messages sent to premium-rate numbers, and network operators still lack effective measures to stop it.

Technically, the banner ads plastered all over the internet could very well be hiding an application that allows sending messages. In response to this situation, on the afternoon of July 2nd, MobiFone issued a statement advising mobile users not to access unfamiliar websites of unknown origin, not to download applications from unknown sources, and only to download applications from reputable app stores such as the Apple Store and Google Play. According to the network provider, the following unusual signs may indicate that a mobile device is being secretly infected with fraudulent applications or software: The device's battery drains faster than usual, the GPS icon occasionally lights up even when not using map or location software, automatically connecting to the internet (Wifi/3G turns on abnormally), strange sounds appearing during calls, a sudden surge in data usage, or an unusually rapid depletion of data balances.

From the user's perspective, experience can also help them identify the problem when reviewing the payment invoice.The bill or account balance runs out quickly. In that case, users need to review their bill details, the services they are using, or the numbers to which the subscriber has sent messages, in order to promptly cancel any unwanted services that are causing financial losses.

According to Labor