Project Disrupt: Toronto police arrest 10 people, lay more than 100 charges in SIM swap scam
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2024
- Toronto police say they have arrested 10 people and laid more than 100 charges in a wide-reaching SIM swap scam.
Investigators say more than 1,500 cellular accounts throughout Canada were compromised, resulting in more than $1 million in combined losses to victims, telecom companies and financial institutions.
Det. David Coffey from the Toronto police Financial Crimes Unit says the SIM swap scam targets a weakness in two-factor authentication to take over an unsuspecting victim’s cellphone account, either by impersonating the customer at a cellphone store or otherwise tricking a mobile carrier into switching the victim’s phone number to another SIM card.
Coffey says police seized more than 400 pieces of fake identification after search warrants were executed as part of the investigation dubbed “Project Disrupt,” which began in June 2023.
Global's Sean O'Shea has the details.
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Sue the phone carriers for letting this happen.
legit!
Phone numbers were never meant to be used for security purposes. It's really the companies using phone numbers for TFA that are at fault here.
@@TheRecurrence It's the devices acting as 2FA that were though, and cell companies promoting that their devices can do that.
Accountability or asset in fraud.
Did the criminals have an inside person working at the one of millions of cellular shops in the GTA, assisting with the scam?
I believe they do and they know all your info.
And yours @@TomGeek1980
That is a really good question. The one time I was at one of those places, the people working there seemed to be spending a lot of time looking at people's phone accounts once they had access to them.
I wanna say they'd need a person on the inside to be that successful but these phone companies are so incompetent I wouldn't be surprised if its that easy to take control of someones number.
One reason we need to stop protecting the big 3 carriers simply because they're Canadian and let American companies operate here.
Indians probably
They've probably already bailed themselves out with the money they made _committing crimes._
It's good to see you here man. I love your videos.
Finally Toronto police doing something useful, now we seriously need to solve the car theft issue
These people should be locked up for life!!
Most definitely
why are up past your bedtime little kevin?
@@Testimony4644 little Kevin still with your mom
If i was this couple I would lawyer up and take the cell company to court! Unbelievable
Same here. This is unbelievable that nobody is being held accountable
yeah umm its not totally the cell companies fault either the banks know who is receiving the etranfers , their full name and information is right their on the computer
The companies protect themselves by pointing the finger at the others. They are all at fault, the bank for using that for Auth and the carrier for letting the scammer in. So if more than one company is at fault, they will just play hot potato.
I would hold the banks responsible. Transferring large sums of money shouldn't hinge on a text sent out. And even after all that, as @EpicGamingEct pointed out the banks know where the money is flowing. They should have the power to pull it back once they have verified how it was a fraudulent transaction.
If you lose money because of the negligence of the carriers they should have to replace it in any additional costs
This scam has been going on in the US for some time now. IMHO, cellular carriers should only authenticate someone in person and never over the phone. There's no way to know if someone's account/personal info has been compromised over the phone.
I'm sure they're out on bail already
Of course. That's Canada. Victims have no rights. Only criminals do.
Why everyone puts so much trust into technology is mind boggling.
You think we have a choice??
The problem isn't with the technology the scam is convincing the phone company to give over control of the account through social engineering and fake IDs...
I never, ever bank online; hackers only do one thing all day and that is figure out how to get into a banking institution or a Federal server.
Would you rather place it in people?
I'll keep my tech.
People are far more often the weak link.
@@digitalmagick That's right! And we all know scammers have no idea how to use tech.
2FA is not the problem, 2FA via SMS is the problem. Horrible authentication method
You're pointing out the obvious to consumers who don't/can't think.
@@stephensaines7100 How is it the consumers fault that teleos are lazy???
Exactly lol
It's left over from the pre-app era. Just that it was never retired when it should have been.
Now we have a good example for the reason to retire SMS 2FA.
What do you suggest, passkeys?
Diversity is our strength.
Blame the phone carriers. Greedy but no help for the consumer
All banks in Canada all using sms based authentication they really need to change that. Also CRA and service Canada using same method.
Inform the public about the cellular company that allowed this to happen.
Inform the public about the obvious. They'll ask "is there an app for that?"
Physical cash in a safety deposit box . 100% unhackable.
Also fairly certain that’s 100% illegal 😂 to put cash in a sdbox
No it’s mot
@@colinsellers1143 thanks your comment is funnier 🤡.
People at the call centers. Inside job
Really? And how exactly do call centres reprogram SIM cards over the air? Gullible is as gullible says.
carrier is liable
Huge lawsuit against telecoms. The only way to handle this.
People should stop buying into the "convenience" of using their phones for everything. If your bank account gets hacked they do nothing, same thing for your phone...no one is responsible or accountable.
You think its just "convenience" not everyone has the luxury or privilege you have to NOT use a device
Maybe people should be more cautious about who they give their personal information to?
@@TMGMedia73 How when it was the telecos fault that gave away said personal information
This is the carrier fault. they should be sued for liability
Basically in certain forums online you'll find Employees that work for these companies are accepting Large sums of cash to swap people's Sims, so for it to happen it's gotta be from people on the inside.
What the hell is wrong with these cell phone companies? They should never, ever allow anyone to call up and take over an account.
it funny how banks, tech companies, phone carriers, have all the money and resources at their disposal, but it's up to the individual citizen who works 40hrs a week just trying to survive to do all these thing to prevent fraud and theft.
The consumer needs to opt out. We are the ones that are letting THEM skirt their responsibility.
meanwhile they will then be released the next day on bail and the cycle continues
While there is 2 factor authentication with the second factor being SMS/Call/Google Authenticator/Microsoft Authenticator etc, the FIRST factor would be your user ID and password with the bank. When setting up your online banking user name and password NEVER REUSE other user names/password combinations you may have used for other website!! Always keep them distinct and nonsensical such that they can't be guessed. This way, if there is a data leak for the other websites, your online banking password won't be so easily guessed.
Pay couples back$$$
diversity is our greatest strength
Holy crap it took years for authorities to actually say something about this, kinda scary honestly, and im shocked Banks dont have other options for 2fa
Why don't they give out the names of the culprits ? Could it be that these people or the majority there of are of a particular ethnic make-up.
Just look at who's working at all the telus, rogers, bell, freedom mobile and other fake mobile phone carrier booths.
I never ever used my phone for financial transactions. I'm old and old school and only got my first cell phone 4 years ago because I never wanted one in my long life. I only use my desktop or my credit card to do financial transactions.
Sentences for fraud in Canada is really weak.....in USA it's +- double
Not a very "diverse" group of criminals!?
Stop 🛑 hiring scammers.
No one should be able to get a phone without ID in person. Numbers should be attached to those ID's. That's how all these scams are happening! Carriers should not be allowed to do business unless they can ensure security and privacy. That should be the cost of doing business for them!
What is the point of these operations? Criminals are out in 24hrs
Because it looks nice on tv
Good of the police to finally make some arrests. Finally.
Banks will get on this in six months.
Ugghhh. Thank you for alerting us.
Diversity is our strength 😀
phone company's are to blame ! its like a bank they wont do anything unless you come in its that simple ! charge the dam phone company's guys out 143 thou if that we me that company would be blown to bits !
I'm old school but I think it's idiotic to put your banking information on your phone. For a couple minutes of time a month I will use my bank card and then the bank is responsible.
Best solution: ditch your cellphone. Got rid of mine years ago, and don't miss it one bit.
How do you call a phone company if your phone is taken over?
Government need to PUSH financial institution to have SOFT TOKEN FUNCTION available in their APP. USING SMS as authorization method is not safe at all.
What if you could lock your phone the way they used to be? Police have loved the sting ray though. Youre not on a network, youre on candid canera!
You could just use cash.. what a concept hey?
The longest sentence is 13 months in prison out in 8
I never ever do my banking on my cellphone. It's too dangerous.
And they thought they wouldn't be caught.
We want project deport!
These people's bank account number, web bank log-in password, name, address, birthday, photo, phone number etc have been leaked already. SIM swap is only the last step.
If your phone loses service, immediately restart phone incase it was nothing. If that don’t work get to WiFi so you can change passwords to all your accounts and emails and call your provider with another means
Time for 3 factor authentication. Here's a neat trick. Use a trusted persons phone for 2 factor which becomes 3 factor. For example my daughter uses my phone # for 2 factor. She emails me to make sure I'm around. I "ok" her via text. The authentication code is sent to my phone. I call her with the time sensitive number.
Back in my day they would charge the criminals
I feel like I’m in overseas country!!!
Scammers everywhere fraud !!!
They’re just bringing that overseas country to you.
Look up the century initiative.
No control?!!!!
What is this?
Where is the government????
We have been forced into 2-factor authentication by everyone including Google! You can’t just turn that off.
Many of my friends laughed when I told them I don’t do any kind of online banking or bill pay, hell I still use snail mail and checks. At least I know these criminals will have to work alittle harder to get access to my finances . Who’s laughing now 😮
Let them out same day ?
wow the police arresting real crooks wow I am speechless
The carriers are at fault. The need to be held responsible.
This is currently happening to me at the North Bay Telus location. I’ve been locked out of my account and now have a fake credit agency requesting funds for an account that is still being used by another. - SOS INCLUDED.
I have a project for you, fix the Fking country and do a system reboot back to 2015. Thanks
If you use Microsoft or Google authenticator then if you lose your phone or it gets robbed you are locked out of your account for life
it will say SOS if your sim expired as well
They are not telling the whole story. 😂😂
I would suggest to setup a password with your phone company, every time when you call them, you have to tell them a phrase or something to verify that it is you calling them, at least it will act like another barrier for a thief.
I always assumed 2FA was just a way to make it easier for companies to link you to your data
Thats right. Its like a fingerprint
Unbelievable!
I don't fully understand how this happens and how people are getting scammed out of their money, can someone explain?
as soon as I saw this headline I clicked on it. I received a completely unsolicited Telus SIM card a month ago in the mail that did not come with any kind of written documentation, but my name and address were correct. Im pretty sure Im a victim of this scam.
Those folks should sue the phone co
Wow, they arrest somebody's, and they must be exhausted.
They are free now and working at a mobile kiosk in a mall and selling mobile services😂
It's not an issue until valuable cattle is affected.
Here is solution : Don't use stupid-cellphone for banking or buying things . Don't be lazy , go to bank , take a cash , go to store and buy what you need to buy . People lived for centuries that way , so you can too . Or , be screwed .
It has nothing to do with that. Once they have your cell number, they can change passwords to all banking accounts, and to apple and everything. They can wipe other devices and basically, you can't verify your own identity with your own banks.
And that is why I use my phone as a phone (and sometimes a camera).
These carriers, like some credit card companies, can and have used voice recognition in order to verify a customers identity. There is no reason this scam should be successful at this point other then apathy and laziness by the phone carrier's.
Did these scammers knows someone working with the cell carrier
LOL. Great. After I've finally been forced to start using 2 factor authentication, they find a way to use it against us.
Is it just me or have the criminals left the police far behind in their methods/skills/etc? It's pathetic.
Welcome to lil' India
and yet none of the banks support passkeys, the most secure form of 2 factor authentication
Is it possible for the cell phone companies to always give a new phone number when activating the replacement SIM card? This will cause the 2FA to fail for the hackers as the bank will be notifying a non active number. This will require the owner of the compromised cell phone to contact their banks etc and change the 2FA to the new phone number if the replacement sim is legit, and they should change their passwords too.
The phone companies are responsible for the money lost !
You wanna bank on your PHONE?!!! You get what you get.
You wanna import scammers and thieves,that’s what you get.
How they got 140k? When the limit of transfer or widraw os 3k a day?
Shutting down two factor will not fix the issue give your head a shake if you don't understrand tech you should not be making comments like that
I don't understand how they are able to log into your bank account without your bank card # and password? I never bank with my phone. I use a LAN connection and live CD
Jesus Christ, what next...
The bank should confer every transaction with the customer .just as if the customer is standing at the counter in front of a teller . This is why India is secure in it's financial system .
I am curious what the ethnicities of the perpetrators were. We have so much scamming going on now in Canada, and curiously we have imported millions of immigrants from only one country...
Stop using phones for banking . Cash is king ! We've become complacent with corrupt tech & placing too much trust in this system.
What good is this crap at this point.
Local police are watcher everyone’s phones anyways ….. can we lay some charges on them??
Company need a personal pin just to get into the app bank acounts. Just like cash app
Roger itself is a scam. I got phone call from Roger, the guy offer me a phone deal. I denied it. Couple days lates I got the email said I register new service from them. What a joke! I have to call them to cancel the service that I never want
Reason why I go pay as you go. My phone card cost 50$ month I have absolutely everything I need.
Another reason to not use the banks.
Hervine better run girl!! They gon getcha!!!!!!
but they can't stop 'new canadians' from taking a dump on the sidewalk were little kids play