SMS Spammers
By @edent
· ekas ekasure mobile NaBloPoMo sms spam switchfire · 9 comments · 450 words · read ~1,401 times.
As I've mentioned before, I hate SMS Spam.
Last night, I received this unsolicited message. 
Now, I can try to unsubscribe using STOP ALL - and I have forwarded the text to VSPAM. But that's not enough for me. I want to stop them sending any more spam SMS to anyone.
Let's do a little stalking investigating and find out what we can.
Who Supplies Their SMS Gateway?
The people who provide the SMS gateway services ought to do a better job of policing who uses them.
PhonePayPlus allows us to look up any SMS short code and see to whom it belongs.
We can quickly see that the people responsible for sending the message are
Switchfire Ltd 2nd Floor 66 Wilton Road London SW1V 1DE Tel: 020 7798 2800 support@switchfire.com
I rang them and got them to block my number from their system. I also asked them where they got my number from - they are going to try and find out.
They wouldn't tell me who they are sending the campaign on behalf of, so I set about trying to find out...
Where Do They Live?
The domain name "hoho.me.uk" redirects to the not-exactly-confidence-inspiring "blablabla.me.uk".
A quick WHOIS gives us
Domain name:
hoho.me.uk
Registrant:
EKASure
Registrant's address:
Masons Yard 34 High St
London
UK
SW19 5BY
United Kingdom
Registrar:
eNom, Inc. [Tag = ENOM]
URL: http://www.enom.com
Relevant dates:
Registered on: 07-Oct-2011
Name servers:
dns1.registrar-servers.com
The results are identical for blablabla.me.uk
A little dig around Companies House gets their phone number. So, the registrant is EKASure of 34 High St, Wimbledon, telephone +44 208 946 6739. Main URL http://www.ekas.co.uk/.
Who Provides Their Web Presence?
Again, from the WHOIS, and a little gentle pinging, we can see who the domains were registered and hosted with.
I've sent some abuse reports.
Other Complaints
PhonePayPlus are the regulators for these services, they have a handy complaints form.
Who Is Behind This?
Although I can't find out who has authorised the sending of these spam messages, it would appear that the person who has registered all these dodgy sites is one "Stephen Clive Hedley Jennings".
Various official filings have him either as "Stephen Jennings" or "Clive Jennings".
Jennings - who is the owner of HotSexChat.info among many others - is the director of several companies.
A phone call to the Ekas offices confirmed that - although they are accountants - they do register domains for some of their clients.
I've dropped Mr Jennings a mail, linking to this blog post, to try and find out more information.
Dealing with SMS Spam from @PaddyPower
Nick says:
Find and publish the bastard's home phone number and I'll enjoy ringing it once an hour every night when I'm on shifts.
I couldn't possibly condone that. I'll settle for their business being shut down by the regulators.
BarneyC says:
bazinga!
Was the Rhianna tape any good?
Hahaha! Not a clue.
Anon says:
THIS COMPANY IS LEADX LTD They send out spam text messages regarding personal injury claims in order to data mine. They then sell the leads to companies like CONSUMER CLAIMS LTD who then contact people to get the details. They in turn sell the information to SOLICITORS.
While I've no doubt that LeadX aren't very nice people, they are not the ones sending the above spam. If you have a problem with LeadX, you can use their complaints site.
LMAO I can feel your frustration.
I recommend that you try to get their website shutdown and to fine them for spamming you.
I'm unsure of the exact rate is for spamming, but make them pay.
PS. If the advertisers don't give you their sources - tell them that you're keen to advertise as well, then blog about all the fraudulent parties.
I've been accumulating the SPAM I get from my Wordpress Website. SPAM comments. I've been doing the same thing with the false "interested" from my Craigslist for sale ad.
I wanted to know if there is a place to submit the WEBSITE URL vs just reporting it's SPAM. I want the website shut down. Who has the power to do this?