The mobile phone operator Base counts 1,763 victims of a premium-rate phone number scam among its Belgian customers. These people lost a total of 13,000 euros, Le Soir reported on Tuesday. A 500 euro coupon offer was sent to Internet users, in exchange for a call to a premium-rate number to answer “a few questions”. In reality, there were over 300 questions and the coupon didn’t exist. The fraudster’s only aim was to keep participants on the phone for as long as possible, to make as much money as possible.
The incriminating number has now been blocked by the IBPT, the telecom regulator, but this is not an isolated case. Base has now raised the alarm and said it wants there to be a register, like the one for the short paid text messages used for TV games and competitions
(Source: Belga)
