Why are scammers shifting to RCS and iMessage from SMS?

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Scammers are migrating to RCS and iMessage from SMS due to the enforcement of hyperlink restrictions on traditional short messaging services.

Following the implementation of directives that prohibit hyperlinks, callback requests, or personal detail solicitations through official SMS, scammers have begun leveraging newer messaging platforms. Rich Communication Services (RCS) and Apple's iMessage, along with over-the-top (OTT) services like WhatsApp and Telegram, still permit the transmission of hyperlinks, offering a viable channel for spreading phishing links. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is actively engaging with these platform providers to explore similar restrictive measures.
Shift to Newer Messaging Platforms

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has observed a discernible shift in scam tactics. After telecommunication companies were instructed to disallow hyperlinks, requests to call back numbers, or demands for personal information within official SMS messages, malicious actors have redirected their efforts. This strategic move targets services like RCS and iMessage, which, unlike restricted SMS, continue to facilitate the inclusion of clickable links for their users.
Continued Use of Phishing Links

The core modus operandi of these scammers remains the distribution of phishing links, which are designed to deceive recipients into divulging sensitive information or accessing malicious websites. While SMS has been curtailed as a primary vector for such links, RCS and iMessage provide an alternative avenue. Furthermore, other popular over-the-top (OTT) messaging applications, including WhatsApp and Telegram, are also being utilized to disseminate these deceptive links, indicating a broader trend in communication channel exploitation.
MCMC's Engagement with Platform Providers

In response to this evolving threat landscape, the MCMC is initiating engagement with the providers of RCS and iMessage. The commission aims to collaborate on implementing measures analogous to the restrictions already placed on SMS. This proactive approach signifies an effort to extend existing safeguards against phishing and other online scams to these newer communication platforms, thereby closing potential loopholes exploited by scammers.

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Why are scammers shifting to RCS and iMessage from SMS?

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