Looting people through SMS continues

Islamabad: The mobile text messages carrying ‘good news’ of cash prizes worth thousands of rupees are continuously being received by the cellular phone users with many falling prey to the criminal gangs who have adopted this practice to trap innocent people.

“I received mobile text message from Benazir Income Support Programme in which the sender asked me to contact on the given number to get details about the cash prize to be given to me,” said Ejaz Shah, a government employee and resident of G-6 sector.

He said when he contacted on the number given in the text message he realised that it was some kind of trap to loot money, adding, “I provided that mobile phone number from which I received the text message to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).”

Ejaz Shah said when he later contacted PTA he was informed that they blocked that mobile phone number as many other people had also lodged similar complaints against it.

He said: “After this episode he received a call on his mobile phone and the girl who was talking on the other side introduced herself as representative of a housing society. That girl asked me that I am the lucky one who won the draw held few days back at the office of the housing society. So I should submit Rs25,000 to get plot measuring 10 marlas.”

Ejaz said when he asked from the girl about the location of the housing society she gave him a bank account number and advised him to deposit money to it after which the representatives of the housing society would come to his home to provide allotment letter.  He said the criminals are operating in the twin cities using mobile phone SIMs so the concerned authorities should take effective measures to bring them to book.