Fortune Cookies From SMS Crooks
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - There seems to be no end to the short message service (SMS) scams originating from outside Brunei.

The latest in a long line of hidden-fortune scams has been making its rounds here, even in the form of a SMS from the Philippines.

A senior citizen known only as Haji S informed the Weekend Bulletin that he received a SMS congratulating him for winning a handsome cash prize from the Philippines operator.

"When I called the number, she said I am the 'SMS' winner. The Filipina said his mobile phone number has been picked from the global electronic phone system and asked to call immediately for financial transaction."

To claim the prize, he said, the winner needed to send a certain amount of cash for administrative fees and government taxes to her company, which would then deposit the winnings into our bank account. "Knowing that it's possibly a scam, I just ignored it," Hj added.

The police when contacted said fraud is the most common commercial crime detected in this country but SMS scams are not frequently reported and urged the public not to be easily duped by such tactics.

"The advice is not to entertain and not to be influenced by the handsome reward given. Instead of getting cash rewards, the perpetrator will take one's money," DSP Pg Mohd Roslin, Acting Head of Police Public Relations said, citing that it's hard for the relevant agencies to investigate as the operator originates from outside Brunei.

He added that for any foreign exchange company trying to operate in Brunei, a licence should be obtained from the relevant government agencies in Brunei just like setting up any business.

SMS scam originates not only from the Philippines but also from China where six figure cash prize in lucky draw incomes the catch to lure the customers. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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