MNP Fraud

We all know what MNP is by now. For those who are not aware of it, it is a service called Mobile Number Portability which enables you to switch your mobile phone network without changing your number. This can only happen with your consent and verification of your credentials. However, with the cellular/mobile telecom companies offering incentives for switching your network and giving incentives for referring your friends and family members to their network, there is now an incentive for scammers to gain from it by fraudulent means. They can trick you into switching your network and get benefit of the various incentives being offered for MNP referrals including:

1. Free Handsets
2. Free Balance
3. Free On-Net Minutes
4. Free SMS
5. Extra Balance on recharge
6. Lower friends & family rates

This fraud is executed through an unsolicited call and/or SMS asking YOU to send a text message at short code 667 and forward the response message to other short codes such as 76300/76345/76333/76313. Such SMS may contain a voice/talky message etc. which either gives you an incentive for following instructions or warns you that your SIM will be blocked if you do not follow instructions. However, following these instructions results in your number getting ported out to another network without your consent.

For example, here is the exact text (without any corrections) of such a SMS I received:

"SIM name confram karny k lye 'MNP' likh kr 667 pe snd krde jo msg aye use 03076849769 pr bhej kr phir usi msg ko is 76300 pr bhejde warn SIM kuch dair me block hogi"

Just delete such SMS and warn others.