Your phone may be at risk: Lawyer reveals the warning sign to look for immediately!
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In today's digital age, concerns over cybersecurity continue to rise as individuals and organisations grapple with the evolving tactics of cyber threats.
Recently, a lawyer issued a warning about a specific type of text message that could indicate a ‘compromised’ phone, prompting heightened awareness among smartphone users.
The New South Wales (NSW) Police recently sent out an alert to around 50,000 individuals as part of Strike Force Wessex—a specialised group with a mission to dismantle alleged criminal groups involved in drug supply through 'dial-a-dealer' operations.
This police operation, launched in April 2023, shed light on an alarming issue: a large number of people are unknowingly linked to these groups through their phones.
On March 7, the New South Wales police department disclosed the closure of 26 suspected drug courier phone lines.
Notifications were subsequently dispatched to individuals to inform them of their number’s association with an alleged drug-running phone.
It cautioned, 'The NSW Police Force: Strike Force Wessex has identified this number engaging with an organised crime drug supply ‘dial-a-dealer’ phone. If this continues you may be subject to further investigation. Cease all contact now.'
Lawyer Jahan Kalantar from Executive Law Group confirmed in a video the legitimacy of these messages, cautioning recipients to 'be wary'.
‘If you received this message… It is highly likely that your phone is in some way, shape or form, compromised,’ he said.
He also mentioned that recipients of the text may have had connections with someone who ‘may have been involved in a serious syndicate’.
‘It may be nefarious, it may be not nefarious, but it means that somehow your phone has had some sort of relationship with a phone that has had something to do with the supplied naughty stuff,’ he explained.
‘Maybe you’re a pizza delivery guy or an Uber driver who gave someone a lift once using this number. Maybe you are somebody who had nothing to do with this at all, and your number somehow got into their system, because you know, there was a mistake in the text, it could be anything.’
Mr Kalantar reassured that receiving such a text doesn't necessarily mean you're in legal trouble, but it does, however, act as a loud wake-up call for those knowingly involved in unlawful activities to cease right away.
‘You’d be wise to stop that activity immediately,’ he said.
‘It would not be very difficult for people who continue to engage in that behaviour to find themselves in serious legal trouble pretty quickly.’
He described the method employed by the NSW police as a 'brilliant swoop', unique in its execution.
‘People who receive (the text) and have nothing to worry about, are going to just be confused, and probably won’t do anything. People who have something to worry about may change their behaviour. So I thought it was actually quite an innovative and creative way of letting people know that maybe their secrets aren’t as secret as they thought they were,’ he remarked.
As a part of Strike Force Wessex, the police seized eight phones, and rendered 26 phone numbers useless, as these numbers were previously utilised by alleged members of a criminal syndicate.
Authorities claimed that certain phone numbers, known to their contacts solely by aliases like 'Dior,' 'Tommy,' and 'Ricky,' have been active for as long as a decade.
This demonstrates one of the police's initial efforts to exploit technological advancements to dismantle criminal syndicates, according to Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor.
‘Exploiting new technological capabilities, and using our relationship with various Australian telecommunication companies, we’ve been able to shut down these phones that were running up to millions of dollars’ worth of drugs per week – anything from cannabis to cocaine to ice,’ he said.
‘Now we’ve disrupted the dealers’ direct line to their customers, we can turn our attention to those at the top—the criminal syndicate controlling these phones—and we’ll be coming after them next,’ he added.
You can watch Mr Kalantar’s full video here:
While this text was confirmed legitimate, many Aussies still need to be cautious about the others.
This form of communication is also used by scammers for a variety of criminal activities. You can read the full details about it here.
Did you receive this message? Have you taken the necessary precautions for maintaining your phone's security yet? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Recently, a lawyer issued a warning about a specific type of text message that could indicate a ‘compromised’ phone, prompting heightened awareness among smartphone users.
The New South Wales (NSW) Police recently sent out an alert to around 50,000 individuals as part of Strike Force Wessex—a specialised group with a mission to dismantle alleged criminal groups involved in drug supply through 'dial-a-dealer' operations.
This police operation, launched in April 2023, shed light on an alarming issue: a large number of people are unknowingly linked to these groups through their phones.
The NSW Police sent out this text message to around 50,000 individuals last week. Credits: Tiktok / @jahankalantarofficial
On March 7, the New South Wales police department disclosed the closure of 26 suspected drug courier phone lines.
Notifications were subsequently dispatched to individuals to inform them of their number’s association with an alleged drug-running phone.
It cautioned, 'The NSW Police Force: Strike Force Wessex has identified this number engaging with an organised crime drug supply ‘dial-a-dealer’ phone. If this continues you may be subject to further investigation. Cease all contact now.'
Lawyer Jahan Kalantar from Executive Law Group confirmed in a video the legitimacy of these messages, cautioning recipients to 'be wary'.
‘If you received this message… It is highly likely that your phone is in some way, shape or form, compromised,’ he said.
He also mentioned that recipients of the text may have had connections with someone who ‘may have been involved in a serious syndicate’.
‘It may be nefarious, it may be not nefarious, but it means that somehow your phone has had some sort of relationship with a phone that has had something to do with the supplied naughty stuff,’ he explained.
‘Maybe you’re a pizza delivery guy or an Uber driver who gave someone a lift once using this number. Maybe you are somebody who had nothing to do with this at all, and your number somehow got into their system, because you know, there was a mistake in the text, it could be anything.’
Mr Kalantar reassured that receiving such a text doesn't necessarily mean you're in legal trouble, but it does, however, act as a loud wake-up call for those knowingly involved in unlawful activities to cease right away.
‘You’d be wise to stop that activity immediately,’ he said.
‘It would not be very difficult for people who continue to engage in that behaviour to find themselves in serious legal trouble pretty quickly.’
He described the method employed by the NSW police as a 'brilliant swoop', unique in its execution.
‘People who receive (the text) and have nothing to worry about, are going to just be confused, and probably won’t do anything. People who have something to worry about may change their behaviour. So I thought it was actually quite an innovative and creative way of letting people know that maybe their secrets aren’t as secret as they thought they were,’ he remarked.
As a part of Strike Force Wessex, the police seized eight phones, and rendered 26 phone numbers useless, as these numbers were previously utilised by alleged members of a criminal syndicate.
Authorities claimed that certain phone numbers, known to their contacts solely by aliases like 'Dior,' 'Tommy,' and 'Ricky,' have been active for as long as a decade.
This demonstrates one of the police's initial efforts to exploit technological advancements to dismantle criminal syndicates, according to Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor.
‘Exploiting new technological capabilities, and using our relationship with various Australian telecommunication companies, we’ve been able to shut down these phones that were running up to millions of dollars’ worth of drugs per week – anything from cannabis to cocaine to ice,’ he said.
‘Now we’ve disrupted the dealers’ direct line to their customers, we can turn our attention to those at the top—the criminal syndicate controlling these phones—and we’ll be coming after them next,’ he added.
You can watch Mr Kalantar’s full video here:
While this text was confirmed legitimate, many Aussies still need to be cautious about the others.
This form of communication is also used by scammers for a variety of criminal activities. You can read the full details about it here.
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