Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Five expatriates have landed into the police net for alleged phone scams invloving a whopping SR300,000.

The expatriates from Pakistan, in their 30s and 40s, allegedly sent text messages on mobile phones of citizens and residents with fraudulent content, local media said citing Maj. Khaled Al-Kreidis, media spokesman for the Riyadh region police.

The text messages, the spokesman said, included requests to update bank data and fake announcements about winning cash prizes in order to hack into the bank accounts of people who receive messages, and make wire transfers and cash withdrawals.

Maj. Al-Kreidis said 13 mobile devices which contained fraudulent text messages and data for various ATM debit cards were seized from their possession.

He said legal measures have been taken against them after being referred to the Public Prosecution.