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I think the malware was installed to allow him generate unlock codes on the at&t servers, not on phones

by ljf 7y ago

dmix 7y ago
> Fahd allegedly recruited AT&T “insiders” to install malware programs that gathered confidential information and submitted unlock requests using employee credentials via a remote server. These were probably 3rd party call centers or section of the company that ran their customer service lines which gave agents the ability to unlock devices. The amount of spin this article is using to associate locking devices to keeping customers in long-term contracts is quite strong though.
- HenryBemis 7y ago
  I cannot see how would his be profitable. Usually when a customer receives a new cellphone at a lower price, that comes with a 12-24 month extension of a proportionally expensive contract. After said contract expires, AT&T has already made its profit. Even if someone would want to take the device and use another company's SIM card, they would still have to honour the contract with AT&T. The only "free money" scenario I can think of, is stealing AT&T devices, and reselling them in the black market/ebay/etc and thus pocketing all the $$$ without having the customers signing contracts. Ps: this is why a large company needs a large Internal Audit department. Edit: removed an off-topic NSA-AT&T comment, added the Ps
  - londons_explore 7y ago
    Not all contracts with AT&T get fully paid off. A large number end up in collections or written off. AT&T doesn't want to issue unlock codes in those cases, because it severely reduces the chances of them getting paid.
  - mcpherrinm 7y ago
    Use a stolen credit card/identity to buy an iPhone on contract. You can walk out of the store with the phone that day and never pay AT&T another dime. Use this shady service to unlock without paying off the contract, and resell on the second-hand market. If an iPhone costs $1k, maybe you paid $100 to get it out the door, then you can still make hundreds of dollars selling it.
    - JCharante 7y ago
      AT&T also asks for your ID, so since they're using a stolen credit card I presume they're also committing identity fraud. Is this really wide spread issue though? Since they must be on the CCTV how many times can a scammer use the same human agent?
  - thatguy0900 7y ago
    I used to work at a att store. You would be very surprised how often people open consumer or business accounts with new 4 new iPhones and just never make a payment on it. Just find someone willing to destroy their credit for 1000$ cash and sell the phones for 2000$

I think the malware was installed to allow him generate unlock codes on the at&t servers, not on phones

by ljf 7y ago

I think the malware was installed to allow him generate unlock codes on the at&t servers, not on phones

dmix 7y ago

> Fahd allegedly recruited AT&T “insiders” to install malware programs that gathered confidential information and submitted unlock requests using employee credentials via a remote server. These were probably 3rd party call centers or section of the company that ran their customer service lines which gave agents the ability to unlock devices. The amount of spin this article is using to associate locking devices to keeping customers in long-term contracts is quite strong though.

HenryBemis 7y ago
I cannot see how would his be profitable. Usually when a customer receives a new cellphone at a lower price, that comes with a 12-24 month extension of a proportionally expensive contract. After said contract expires, AT&T has already made its profit. Even if someone would want to take the device and use another company's SIM card, they would still have to honour the contract with AT&T. The only "free money" scenario I can think of, is stealing AT&T devices, and reselling them in the black market/ebay/etc and thus pocketing all the $$$ without having the customers signing contracts. Ps: this is why a large company needs a large Internal Audit department. Edit: removed an off-topic NSA-AT&T comment, added the Ps
- londons_explore 7y ago
  Not all contracts with AT&T get fully paid off. A large number end up in collections or written off. AT&T doesn't want to issue unlock codes in those cases, because it severely reduces the chances of them getting paid.
- mcpherrinm 7y ago
  Use a stolen credit card/identity to buy an iPhone on contract. You can walk out of the store with the phone that day and never pay AT&T another dime. Use this shady service to unlock without paying off the contract, and resell on the second-hand market. If an iPhone costs $1k, maybe you paid $100 to get it out the door, then you can still make hundreds of dollars selling it.
  - JCharante 7y ago
    AT&T also asks for your ID, so since they're using a stolen credit card I presume they're also committing identity fraud. Is this really wide spread issue though? Since they must be on the CCTV how many times can a scammer use the same human agent?
- thatguy0900 7y ago
  I used to work at a att store. You would be very surprised how often people open consumer or business accounts with new 4 new iPhones and just never make a payment on it. Just find someone willing to destroy their credit for 1000$ cash and sell the phones for 2000$