A New Twist on SMS Spam: Mobile Smishing Units

Cybercriminals are innovating in alarming ways. A recent tactic out of China involves distributing SMS Blasters to individuals who drive them around in vehicles. These devices are capable of sending smishing messages directly to nearby cell phones—bypassing native spam filters and blocking mechanisms.

Here’s how the scheme works:
• Drivers are paid $75 per day for 8-hour shifts.
• Each blaster has a range of about 100 yards.
• Routes include residential neighborhoods and busy shopping areas.
• Vehicles are tracked to confirm shift completion.

The implications are serious. Traditional carrier-level protections and phone-based spam blockers cannot stop these localized broadcasts. This means anyone within range is exposed, making physical security as important as digital defenses.

How should businesses and individuals prepare for these evolving attack methods? What additional safeguards could help counter this threat?

Each unit operates within a single ward, sending highly targeted smishing messages. Recipients receive fraudulent alerts—like a missed package or a fake school closure—that reference local landmarks, increasing credibility. By transmitting from a local number within the ward, these messages effectively bypass carrier spam filters designed to catch bulk international traffic. After a short, intense burst of activity, the unit moves to the next location, making it exceptionally difficult for authorities to track and dismantle this agile, geographically-aware threat.