Asger Risom
A new wave of scams is emerging with powerful devices nicknamed “SMS bazookas.” These fake antennas can blast fraudulent messages directly to nearby phones, making traditional protections useless.
A new wave of scams is emerging with powerful devices nicknamed “SMS bazookas.” These fake antennas can blast fraudulent messages directly to nearby phones, making traditional protections useless.
Spam Evolves into Fraud
Once just an annoyance, spam via calls and SMS has become a tool for scams and fraud, tricking victims into sharing sensitive data.
What Are SMS Bazookas?
These devices mimic mobile antennas. Carried in a van or even a backpack, they connect to all phones in range and flood them with fake texts.
Massive Reach, Fast Impact
An SMS bazooka can send up to 100,000 messages per hour within a 1–3 km radius, making it nearly impossible for users in the area to avoid exposure.
First Seen Abroad
The technology was first detected in Southeast Asia but has spread to Europe and South America, raising alarms among cybersecurity experts.
Easy to Operate
According to analysts, criminals don’t need deep technical skills—many operators are simply paid to drive around with the devices.
Outside Mobile Networks
Because bazookas work outside normal telecom systems, the texts bypass filtering and security measures from mobile providers.
Spoofing Trusted Senders
Messages can be disguised as official communications from banks, traffic authorities, or delivery firms, making them highly convincing.
High Cost, High Returns
Each device costs over €30,000, but scammers can quickly recoup the investment by targeting thousands of potential victims at once.
A Growing Global Threat
Experts warn that as these tools spread, no phone user is fully safe from spam and fraud—raising urgent questions about how to defend against them.
This article is made and published by Asger Risom, which may have used AI in the preparation
