Radio equipment was found on the back seat. Investigators suspect that it could operate as a fake mobile base station and send deceptive text messages.
Economx reported the case on 10 November, citing a joint statement by Hungary’s National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH), mobile operator Yettel and the National Bureau of Investigation (NNI).
Phones could connect to the fraudulent device
The investigation began in mid-July after a mobile operator detected unusual and constantly shifting network anomalies. At around the same time, several customers reported receiving text messages sent in the name of the Hungarian police.
The messages claimed that the recipient had committed a traffic offence. A link purportedly allowed them to view the details and pay the fine. Although the sender appeared as “RENDORSEG”, the link did not lead to an official police website.
Specialists from the NNI and the mobile operator concluded that the messages may have been sent using a portable device known as an SMS Blaster. It can imitate a mobile base station, causing nearby phones to disconnect briefly from their genuine provider’s network and connect to the fraudulent device instead. This can be used to deliver phishing messages and may also disrupt the mobile network.
Between 13 and 22 July, the operator recorded 88,235 network events linked to the fake base station. That figure does not represent 88,235 individual users, as the same device may have appeared in the data more than once.
Nine victims identified
According to the NNI, the nine known victims lost more than HUF 4.8 million. The authorities questioned a 27-year-old Chinese man on suspicion of committing the felony of interfering with an information system or data against a public utility. He was taken into custody, and a court ordered his pre-trial detention. His guilt can only be established by a final court ruling.
Police do not demand fine payments by text
Hungarian police say they do not send payment demands for traffic fines by text message or email. They also do not request personal or bank card details in such messages.
Anyone who receives a similar text should not open the link or enter any personal or payment information.
Source: Economx
