Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is cracking down on fake base transceiver stations (BTS) used to spread fraudulent SMS messages by illegally hijacking radio frequencies.

Following public reports of a surge in SMS scam, the Directorate General of Digital Infrastructure launched an investigation, detecting unauthorized BTS operations on official network frequencies.

“We have ordered immediate action to identify and eliminate these illegal transmissions,” Minister Meutya Hafid said on Monday (3/3/2025).

Using fake BTS devices, the perpetrators send mass SMS directly to nearby phones, bypassing mobile operators’ networks. Messages often impersonate banks or services, luring victims into scams.

the Ministry is working with telecom operators, financial regulators, and law enforcement to track down offenders and prevent further abuse.

“Infrastructure security is non-negotiable. We will not tolerate frequency misuse for criminal activities,”  Minister Meutya said, as quoted by antaranews.com, urging the public to report suspicious SMS and avoid clicking unknown links or sharing personal data.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)