Alert: Chinese-Speaking Hackers Pose as UAE Authority in Latest Smishing Wave
Dec 20, 2023
Identity Theft / SMS Phishing
The Chinese-speaking threat actors behind Smishing Triad have been observed masquerading as the United Arab Emirates Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to send malicious SMS messages with the ultimate goal of gathering sensitive information from residents and foreigners in the country. "These criminals send malicious links to their victims' mobile devices through SMS or iMessage and use URL-shortening services like Bit.ly to randomize the links they send," Resecurity said in a report published this week. "This helps them protect the fake website's domain and hosting location." Smishing Triad was first documented by the cybersecurity company in September 2023, highlighting the group's use of compromised Apple iCloud accounts to send smishing messages for carrying out identity theft and financial fraud. The threat actor is also known to offer ready-to-use smishing kits for sale to other cybercriminals for $200 a month, alongside e...