Latest update November 22nd, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Disregard UK lotto winnings text message – GT&T

Feb 10, 2011 News

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) is warning its mobile phone customers to disregard text messages that speak of lottery winnings overseas.
It is all a scam, officials advised yesterday.
Over the past few days, a number of GT&T prepaid mobile customers confirmed that they received text messages congratulating them on winning a £1M in UK lotto. Some of the persons receiving the text messages even ended up at some internet café centres to call a UK mobile number -447035978012. The text message also listed an email address [email protected].
“Several people came in and called this number and I warned them that it is a scam,” one internet café owner said yesterday.
It is unclear whether anyone lost money.
GT&T yesterday warned that it is examining ways in which to stop the mobile phone messaging spam, as it is called.
Kaieteur News was told that the scammers, very much aware of the roaming capabilities of mobile phones, had managed to get hold of one such phone of GT&T’s partner in the UK and from all indication did what has been described as “random selection”.
“What was done is, that using the roaming feature, they selected a number. For example, 6200000…they send a text to this and next number 6200001 and so on. They will get somebody eventually.”
GT&T assured that it is not a case of people’s numbers being given out or the company’s security being breached.
“We are warning our customers to disregard any “winnings” from lottery or otherwise from overseas, especially if you have not in the first place entered to participate.”
Mobile phone messaging spam is similar to email scam in that all are unsolicited.
Spam is the use of electronic messaging systems (including most broadcast media, digital delivery systems) to send unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately.
Spamming remains economically viable because advertisers have no operating costs beyond the management of their mailing lists, and it is difficult to hold senders accountable for their mass mailings.
Because the barrier to entry is so low, spammers are numerous, and the volume of unsolicited mail has become very high. In the year 2011 the estimated figure for spam messages are around seven trillion.
The costs, such as lost productivity and fraud, are borne by the public and by Internet service providers, which have been forced to add extra capacity to cope with the deluge. Spamming has been the subject of legislation in many jurisdictions.[1]
People who create electronic spam are called spammers.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Green Machine returns to RAN Sevens

Green Machine returns to RAN Sevens

Nov 22, 2024

-Guyana to face Canada today By Rawle Toney The Green Machine, Guyana’s national rugby team, is set to make its mark at this year’s Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens Championship, hosted at...
Read More
GASA snubs Delroy Tyrrell for World Championships

GASA snubs Delroy Tyrrell for World Championships

Nov 22, 2024

Cricket Australia appoints former West Indian Captain Carl Hooper as a Multicultural Ambassador

Cricket Australia appoints former West Indian...

Nov 22, 2024

GBA appoints International Technical Officer Elton Chase as Technical Director

GBA appoints International Technical Officer...

Nov 22, 2024

Warriors triumph but Royals lead standings

Warriors triumph but Royals lead standings

Nov 22, 2024

 D-Up Basketball Academy Training camp brings Hoop Dreams to Life with Region 3 Jamboree

 D-Up Basketball Academy Training camp brings...

Nov 21, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]