Urgent: Millions of Scam Texts Erupt from LA, Costing $500M

URGENT UPDATE: Millions of scam texts are surging from Los Angeles, costing Americans nearly $500 million last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Cybersecurity expert Been Coon of Unit221B reveals that many of these fraudulent messages are linked to large-scale “SIM farms” operating in Southern California.

Coon has tracked down 45 SIM farms nationwide, with four located in the Los Angeles area. These farms, which house dozens of SIM cards and boxes, can send out millions of text messages in mere minutes. “Some of these scam texts are coming from your own city,” Coon stated, emphasizing the local threat.

The Secret Service warns that these SIM farms pose a serious risk beyond just scam texts. Recently, federal agents dismantled a network of SIM farms in New York City that had the potential to disrupt cellular networks entirely. Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “This network had the potential to dismantle cell phone towers and essentially shut down the cell phone network in New York City.”

For those receiving these scam texts, the advice is clear: do not click any links or share personal information without verifying with the company directly. “That’s a huge inconvenience,” Coon admitted, “but it’s better than losing access to your credit card and losing $100,000 from your savings account.”

Coon explains that most of these operations involve overseas scammers who illegally ship SIM farm equipment to the U.S., where they then hire locals to manage the setup. The good news? Law enforcement agencies are actively targeting these operations, and Coon has observed that these farms are being dismantled as quickly as they emerge.

As the situation develops, consumers are urged to remain vigilant. Always verify the legitimacy of messages before responding or clicking links. Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent issue as authorities continue to crack down on these fraudulent activities.