Find a way to block fake BTS stations from spreading scam messages

At the press conference on the afternoon of July 5 of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), Mr. Tran Manh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Radio Frequency Department, said that since 2022, the authorities have detected and handled 24 cases of using fake BTS stations to spread spam messages. Since the beginning of 2023, 15 cases have been detected and handled.

The representative of the Ministry of Information and Communications also admitted that the prevention of this situation has not been completely effective, and subjects continue to use fake transmission stations to impersonate financial and banking organizations to defraud users.

According to Mr. Tran Manh Tuan, the fake broadcasting station devices spread signals that overlap the network operators' waves, then mobile subscribers connect to this fake broadcasting station without going through the network operators. The fake devices can send thousands of messages in 1 minute. In particular, the content of spam messages often includes fraudulent links, malicious games, impersonating bank websites to scam...

Mr. Tuan said that the reason for this situation is due to the security hole of the 2G network. This mobile network only requires authentication of the phone user but does not require the user to authenticate the network operator. Currently, there is no solution in the world to completely overcome this problem.

Mr. Tran Manh Tuan said that these fake BTS stations are often smuggled into Vietnam, the equipment is very compact so it is very difficult for authorities to check and detect. These devices can also be used on mobile vehicles such as cars and motorbikes, so it is very convenient for subjects to carry out fraudulent activities.

When detecting fake BTS stations, the Ministry of Information and Communications actively coordinated with relevant units to prevent this situation. Specifically, the Ministry coordinated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Finance, Customs, and Banks to prevent fake BTS devices from being sold on e-commerce platforms, detect early when the devices are brought into Vietnam, and verify transactions of the organization behind them...

The Ministry also directed the Department of Information and Communications of localities to strengthen inspections to detect organizations and individuals trading in fake BTS equipment. However, because the equipment is very compact and the violations are very sophisticated, prevention is not really effective.

Recently, the Ministry has found an effective solution that can catch the subjects using fake BTS while they are operating. Specifically, when the fake BTS is operating, the network operator will know and isolate the area where this fake station is operating, then the Radio Frequency Department will accurately locate the fake station and the police will immediately arrest the violators on the spot.

In the coming time, the Ministry of Information and Communications will continue to investigate, detect and handle this situation, and at the same time research and propose other more effective solutions to prevent it./.

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