GSMA Asia Pacific Mobile Industry Taskforce Calls for Government and Law Enforcement Support to Stamp Out SMS Blaster Device Threat

New GSMA survey finds two-thirds of consumers in ASEAN region are very worried about rising scam threat; one in ten scammed in past year

23 September 2025, Kuala Lumpur:The GSMA Asia Pacific Cross-Sector Anti-Scam Taskforce (ACAST) is today calling on governments and their law enforcement agencies for further support to help protect citizens from the increasing threat of mobile scams by targeting criminals using SMS Blasters. SMS Blasters are rapidly emerging as one of the foremost challenges to mobile network operators across Asia Pacific in the fight against digital scams. These devices are portable, fake mobile base stations that criminals can fit into the boot of their car or a backpack and blast out thousands of scam text messages to nearby mobile device users. The devices can auto-configure themselves to the surrounding network and require no technical expertise to operate. As criminals locate SMS Blasters close to their victims, they can bypass legitimate mobile networks and circumvent anti-spam protection measures.Mobile network operators and law enforcement agencies have recently reported SMS Blaster criminal activity across Asia Pacific, in markets including Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.Digital scams are an increasing concern across the region, with a new surveyreleased today, commissioned by the GSMA, finding that nearly one in ten consumers (8%) across the ASEAN region have been scammed in the past 12 months. Consumer concerns about digital fraud and scams is very high across all of the ASEAN region with more than two-thirds (67%) of consumers reporting being "very worried" about the threat. Some 84% of respondents believe scams are on the increase.Mobile Industry Calls for Government Support to Address Threat of SMS BlastersGiven this increasing threat, members of the GSMA's Asia Pacific Cross-sector Anti-Scam Taskforce (ACAST), today called on their governments and law enforcement agencies to criminalise the sale, purchase, possession, and use of SMS blasters.Announced at the GSMA Digital Nation Summit Kuala Lumpur (ASEAN Edition),ACAST is spearheading a unified industry response to the SMS Blaster threat in the region. Today, the alliance called upon governments, their law enforcement agencies, and regulators in Asia Pacific, where use of the equipment is most prevalent, to:· Enforce stringent penalties for individuals and organisations engaged in SMS Blaster activities, including the sale, purchase, possession, and use of SMS Blaster devices.· Strengthen cross-border cooperation to disrupt the illicit manufacture and distribution of SMS Blaster equipment.· Support mobile network operators in locating and arresting individuals operating SMS Blasters.The GSMA-led Asia Pacific Cross-Sector Anti-Scam Taskforce (ACAST) launched earlier this year to unite mobile network operators and digital platforms across 16 countries in a collaborative fight against scams through intelligence sharing, public awareness and technical innovation. ACAST already comprises more than 30 members, including mobile operator members including AIS, Bharti Airtel, CelcomDigi, Globe, M1, Maxis, Reliance Jio, Singtel and True."Consumers across Asia lost nearly $700bn to digital scams, including from phishing scams sent by SMS Blasters. This is a problem that can't be left unchecked. Otherwise, it will grow causing harm to the public and damage trust in digital commerce,"said Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA. "There is no legitimate reason why people should be able to purchase these devices over the internet. That's why we're calling on the mobile industry, law enforcement and governments to act now and work together to stamp out this rising threat to societies and economies across Asia Pacific."Mobile network operator members participating in ACAST are actively working to deploy detection techniques and closely monitor spam reports to protect consumers from the harm caused by SMS Blasters. Some operators are also developing or deploying tools such as mobile apps with built-in protections, including the capability to identify and forward suspicious SMS to analysis servers. At the same time, the GSMA and ACAST have issued guidance and called on the broader mobile industry to further leverage their technology and detection capabilities to identify and mitigate SMS Blaster activity. They are also advocating for stronger cooperation and knowledge sharing between mobile network operators and law enforcement agencies.However, these efforts will have a limited impact unless:· regulators act against those operating SMS Blasters for the illegal use of licensed radio frequency spectrum;· law enforcement agencies and prosecutors enforce stringent penalties for the sale, purchase, possession, and use of SMS Blaster devices; and· customs agencies cooperate across borders to disrupt the manufacture, distribution and supply of SMS Blaster equipment.Criminals will continue to acquire and operate these devices, flooding consumers with malicious messages and undermining detection efforts unless robust deterrents are put in place to turn the tide.-ends-