• bunee
• September 4, 2023
• No Comments

Smishing Scam Targets US, iMessages are the Medium of Mischief

Overview:

• Large-scale smishing campaign is reaching into the U.S., utilizing compromised Apple iCloud accounts to send iMessages.
• This campaign aims to commit identity theft and financial fraud.
• The threat operators, mainly Chinese-speaking, are running a package-tracking text scam on iMessage.
• The intention is to collect personally identifiable information (PII) and payment credentials from victims.

The Smishing Scheme:

Watch your iMessages, folks! The U.S. is coming under the radar of an extensive smishing campaign. Smishing might sound like a new method of fishing that didn’t quite catch on, but it’s actually a malicious scheme that employs the use of compromised Apple iCloud accounts to send harmful iMessages. The intention? Identity theft and financial fraud. I know what you’re thinking… it’s an iSad state of affairs indeed!

Understand the Actors:

If you’re wondering who is behind this chicanery, it’s Chinese-speaking threat actors. No, they’re not practicing for a role in a modern cyber thriller. These bad actors are exploiting your love for tracking packages by sending scam messages via iMessage. Endgame? To collect personally identifying information (PII) and payment credentials from their targets, also known as victims. Really makes you regret all those impulse quarantine purchases, doesn’t it?

A Summary of the Sinister Scene:

In summary, a spunky new smishing campaign is targeting the U.S., sending misleading iMessages from hacked Apple iCloud accounts. The smishing masters responsible are Chinese-speaking and conducting a text scam guised as pack-tracking updates on iMessage. Their aim is to get their hands on as much personally identifiable information and payment details as possible. It really is an Apple to the core, and not the sort of apple anyone wants for a snack!

Original Article: https://thehackernews.com/2023/09/chinese-speaking-cybercriminals-launch.html