Turkish intelligence busts credit card SMS scam network

Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MİT) has dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime network that targeted citizens with fraudulent credit card transaction alerts. The operation, initiated after suspicious SMS messages flooded mobile phones on the night of June 7, aimed to exploit financial security systems.

Victims received messages detailing high-value transaction attempts and one-time passwords, designed to trick them into revealing sensitive information or to test the validity of credit card numbers. The investigation revealed that automated software was used to systematically test numerous credit card numbers, with SMS notifications sent to cardholders upon successful validation.

MİT's coordinated efforts, alongside security and financial intelligence units, uncovered the digital infrastructure and methods employed by the perpetrators. Technical analyses and financial investigations identified the IP addresses, server records, and digital footprints associated with the fraudulent activity. This led to the identification of three suspects.

Simultaneous operations were conducted in Istanbul and Kocaeli under the coordination of MİT and an Ankara prosecutor's office. The three suspects were apprehended, and digital materials seized, including software used for mass testing of credit card information and systematic data sets of tested card records. While no financial losses were reported, authorities noted the method is a common tactic in organized cybercrime.