KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and a telco provider have busted a fake base transceiver station (BTS) used to send fraudulent SMS for scams.
The operation had detected and shut down the transmission activities of the fake BTS in Genting Highlands, Pahang, recently, MCMC said in a statement today.
The telecommunications company had worked with MCMC to perform continuous monitoring, technical intelligence and network analysis to identify communication service disruptions and the spread of fraudulent SMS to users.
“On Jan 19, 2026, a team from MCMC successfully detected two vehicles being used to carry out transmission activities of the fake BTS.
“Inspections at the location confirmed the interception of telecommunications networks believed to be used for sending fraudulent SMS messages to victims, thus proving that the activity was carried out in a planned manner,” MCMC said.
The fake BTS equipment and control devices have been seized for further investigation, and the case is being investigated under Section 239(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 [Act 588] and Regulation 16(1)(b) of the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000.
Anyone convicted under the relevant act can be fined up to RM1,000,000 or imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both, while an offence under Regulation 16, Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000, carries a maximum fine of RM300,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
The MCMC said it will not tolerate any form of misuse of communication networks that could affect public safety and the integrity of the country’s telecommunications system. – January 31, 2026