A Melbourne man is facing court after allegedly attempting to steal mobile numbers from identity theft victims. The man, 34, is accused of making 193 unauthorized “port-in” attempts, successfully transferring 44 mobile numbers to his control.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) began investigating in July 2024 after a telecommunications company reported suspicious porting activity. Porting scams allow criminals to bypass multi-factor authentication and access victims’ bank accounts.
A search warrant executed at the man’s residence resulted in the seizure of mobile phones, a computer, SIM cards, and suspected drug items. He has been charged with unauthorized modification of data, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
The AFP urges individuals to be vigilant for unexpected text messages or service disruptions, as these could indicate an unauthorized porting attempt. Victims are advised to contact their mobile provider and bank immediately, and report the incident to ReportCyber.