Scammers Use Fake Antennas for SMS Fraud

Fake Antennas are becoming a serious problem in the digital fraud scenario, especially via SMS.

In this article, we'll explore how scammers use these illegal antennas, located on high-rise buildings, to send mass fraudulent messages and deceive unsuspecting victims.

With the ability to send hundreds of thousands of messages in a single day, these persuasion tactics create a sense of urgency, leading people to click on dangerous links or contact fake call centers.

We will analyze recent cases in São Paulo and other cities, as well as the challenges faced by users and mobile operators in detecting and preventing these scams.

Overview of the Fake Antenna Scam

Scammers are using fake antennas to send Fraudulent SMS, assuming the identity of banks, stores and delivery companies.

These antennas are strategically positioned on tall buildings, with a range of up to 2 km.

From this position, the antennas are capable of firing more than 100,000 messages in a single day.

The main objective is to alarm victims by creating a sense of urgency in messages, often involving unauthorized financial transactions, as exemplified in messages such as: “Loan made in the amount of R$ 2,500. Wasn't it you? Talk to the center”Reported scam about sending loan SMS.

Operators are able to detect these activities due to interference on their networks, thus enabling the location and deactivation of these illegal antennas.

However, users have no way to avoid receiving of these fraudulent messages, which makes this type of scam even more dangerous and widespread in several cities Recent operation focusing on deactivating antennas.

1. Antennas send more than 100 thousand SMS per day.
2. Messages create a strong sense of urgency.
3. It is common to use messages pretending to be from banks.
4. Users cannot avoid receiving messages.

Antenna Operational Capacity and Range

Fake antennas have the astonishing ability to send more than 100,000 messages per day, exploiting fundamental elements of telecommunications technology.

They are positioned in strategic locations, such as tall buildings, increasing signal effectiveness.

Through an unauthorized process, these antennas connect to the network of legitimate operators, enabling the issuance of SMS messages to numerous potential victims.

The central mechanism of these antennas resembles a base station, capturing frequencies and emitting signals in a clandestine manner.

Range up to 2 km allows them to affect a vast number of mobile devices.

According to Anatel, the technology used, often called fake ERB, can hijack 2G network frequencies, complicating immediate detection by operators.

Additional information about this operation can be found at Anatel report, which details the measures underway to mitigate these crimes.

Fraudulent Message Strategies

Criminals have used fake antennas to send fraudulent SMS messages, creating a sense of urgency in their victims.

Tactics include the use of disguised malicious links important announcements from banks or delivery companies.

Victims are persuaded to believe that immediate action is required, such as confirming a suspicious card purchase or scheduling a delivery.

This forces the person to click on links and provide sensitive data, which is then used by scammers.

Another prevalent strategy is the installation of fake telephone exchanges, which simulate real care.

Messages indicating potential problems, such as account locks or duplicate subscriptions, prompt the recipient to call these fraudulent call centers urgently.

Calls result in the collection of personal information, making scams even easier.

Even with advances in detection, victims remain exposed until the illegal devices are disabled.

Example of fraudulent messages:

• — Your card has been blocked, click on the link to resolve.
• — Purchase of R$ 1,700 suspicious, contact us urgently.
• — Confirm package scheduling, press here.

Deactivation Cases in São Paulo (2025)

During the year 2025, the city of São Paulo faced a series of discoveries of illicit infrastructure dedicated to the mass sending of fraudulent messages.

Authorities were able to identify and deactivate five fake antennas that operated in different locations in the city, using towers in tall buildings to extend their reach.

These antennas had the potential to send messages within a radius of up to 2 km, impacting thousands of citizens of São Paulo.

According to available data, one of these antennas sent more than 4 thousand messages in one day, causing concerns among residents.

In an interview, a local official stated that “the technology used by these scammers is sophisticated, but our teams are prepared to combat it.”

More details about the scheme can be found in this operation focused on São Paulo.

Furthermore, collaboration between telecommunications companies and government agencies played a crucial role in locating and disabling these illegal antennas.

A Anatel was responsible for a large part of the interruption initiatives, actively working with operators to detect anomalous interference and mobilize rapid action.

These efforts have resulted in a significant decrease in the volume of SMS fraud, bringing relief to many citizens who have found themselves financially harmed by these scams.

Public awareness was also essential, with information campaigns warning of the dangers of these fraudulent messages and providing instruction on appropriate measures to avoid falling for similar scams.

This case from São Paulo illustrates the complexity and ongoing challenge of combating cybercrime, a problem that unfortunately persists in several regions of the country.

Expansion of Scams and Impact on Victims

Waves of cybercrime through fake antennas have spread beyond São Paulo, affecting cities such as Campinas, Santos and Ribeirão Preto.

Testimonies from victims in these regions indicate a pattern similar to that observed in the capital of São Paulo.

The scams begin with messages pretending to be from banks and delivery companies, inducing fraudulent interactions.

Cybersecurity studies have shown that these misleading messages create a sense of urgency, leading victims to act without considering the consequences.

The scale of the problem in other cities is worrying, with increasing reports of more fraudulent antennas being deactivated daily.

At least one hundred people have reported devastating financial losses.

Some victims, for example, were defrauded of amounts exceeding R$10,000, while others lost smaller amounts that had an equally significant impact on their daily lives.

Some families lost their savings, jeopardizing their children's education or causing unexpected debt.

The feeling of helplessness and frustration is overwhelming, affecting not only the finances but also the emotions of those involved.

It is crucial that users remain vigilant and do not click on suspicious SMS links.

Carrier Detection and User Limitations

To the telephone operators are fundamental in identifying fake antennas that trigger fraudulent text messages.

They use advanced tracking techniques to detect interferences at the signs, which leads them to locate these illegal devices.

If you're curious about how this is done, the Anatel provides detailed information on deactivating this clandestine equipment.

Furthermore, the ability to send bulk SMS makes these devices a threat that requires quick and efficient action from operators.

Despite the importance of this monitoring, the users face significant limitations in preventing fraudulent messages.

Ordinary users have no control about blocking messages before they reach your devices, since cell phones do not come with a native SMS filter for this.

This leads to a scenario where the user needs to be constantly vigilant and suspicious of messages unexpected, as warned by Terra Brasil News.

See the table below for more details on the challenges faced:

Fake Antennas represent a growing challenge in combating SMS fraud. It's essential that users stay informed about these tactics and that operators improve their detection methodologies to protect victims and minimize financial damage.