“Low Tech” Click Fraud Ring Busted in Thailand

[Deleted member 813988]

Most of the click fraud that takes place today is the result of fairly advanced bots and other programs that are able to browse to sites, click ads, and generate millions in revenue for the users. Recently, however, a group of Chinese nationals were arrested in Thailand on a variety of charges. While being arrested, it was discovered that they were running a low tech (relatively speaking) click fraud operation as well.

The group took hundreds of individual smartphones and placed them in large racks, which were then hooked up to a PC that had software that controlled the phones. From there, the phones would browse the web, clicking ads in such a way that appeared to be very authentic.

Had the group not been arrested for other crimes, they likely could have continued this effort for a very long time to come. While certainly not the largest click fraud operation in existence, this is definitely an interesting way to do it. With used smartphones becoming extremely inexpensive, this ‘lower tech’ method may become more popular in the future, and it will be very difficult to stop.

The operation had thousands of SIM cards, and other equipment used to help ensure they could continue to generate revenue long into the future. They were arrested for overstaying their visa, working without permits, and using unregistered SIM cards. In Thailand, click fraud is not illegal, which is likely why they were operating there.

http://pacedm.com/2017/06/low-tech-click-fraud-ring-busted-thailand/

 

[jamalwari]

Indeed Thailand is a heaven for IM and anything blackhat. I was there 4 months ago. Heaven.

 

[John F]

Great to get cheap labor there for it too I bet

 

[soa0611]

thanks for the idea

 

[Deleted member 813988]

thanks for the idea

Exactly!

 

[DeniX3]

Always wondering what software they use to make it authentic. Really nice setup that can be used for a lot of stuff.

Did something similar but used it for calling. Had only like 30 old phones though

 

[pressrelease]

I am mainly interested to know what software they were using to mass access same site from one laptop its obviously not a low tech as op calls it.

 

[Deleted member 813988]

Always wondering what software they use to make it authentic. Really nice setup that can be used for a lot of stuff.

Did something similar but used it for calling. Had only like 30 old phones though

There's a software for games that make clicks, e.g. clash of clans opening chests etc.
I am pretty sure this is something similar.

 

[Deleted member 813988]

I am mainly interested to know what software they were using to mass access same site from one mobile, its obviously not a low tech as op calls it.

I didn't write or named that article

 

[DeniX3]

There's a software for games that make clicks, e.g. clash of clans opening chests etc.
I am pretty sure this is something similar.

Yeah, I guess you can buy it somewhere and there is something for all needs lol

 

[JV1999]

Had the group not been arrested for other crimes,

I read this and had this jaw-dropping moment and I kept on repeating in my head: "YOU CAN GET ARRESTED FOR CLICKING?????" "THE FEDS BUST DOWN UR DOOR IF U CLICK ADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Then I read the above quote and suddenly harmony was restored.

Inb4: "What u in for?" "Clicking ads."

 

[Deleted member 813988]

I read this and had this jaw-dropping moment and I kept on repeating in my head: "YOU CAN GET ARRESTED FOR CLICKING?????" "THE FEDS BUST DOWN UR DOOR IF U CLICK ADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Then I read the above quote and suddenly harmony was restored.

Inb4: "What u in for?" "Clicking ads."

I am pretty sure there will be new laws soon and people would be arrested, for clicks.
Fraud.

 

[HoNeYBiRD]

I am mainly interested to know what software they were using to mass access same site from one mobile, its obviously not a low tech as op calls it.

One mobile? Alone on the pic there are around 200.

 

[pressrelease]

One mobile? Alone on the pic there are around 200.

I meant to say one laptop.

 

[DeniX3]

I meant to say one laptop.

Through the gsm ports

 

[JV1999]

I am pretty sure there will be new laws soon and people would be arrested, for clicks.
Fraud.

That makes no sense. It's not insurance fraud, it's like uhh u know kinda the same as if you got arrested for getting to the 1st page of Google by buying guest posts. It's not illegal irl, just illegal via Google. Shouldn't be arrestable.

Like I get that it's different cuz clicking ads = money, but still, it really seems to be a Google problem and not a law enforcement problem. It's Google's fault for not being able to distinguish between bots.

 

[pressrelease]

Through the gsm ports

Will study this.

 

[Deleted member 813988]

That makes no sense. It's not insurance fraud, it's like uhh u know kinda the same as if you got arrested for getting to the 1st page of Google by buying guest posts. It's not illegal irl, just illegal via Google. Shouldn't be arrestable.

Like I get that it's different cuz clicking ads = money, but still, it really seems to be a Google problem and not a law enforcement problem. It's Google's fault for not being able to distinguish between bots.

It does make sense to me. This is fraud and no matter how it's being done via click or robbing the bank, outcome pretty much the same.
However, I don't think it's going to happen tomorrow.