Alleged SMS scammers arrested in Geneva and Paris

Police in Geneva and Paris have made several more arrests linked to a parking fine scam which affected the whole of French speaking Switzerland.

Three were detained in September, but now a further nine have been detained.

The scam worked by using devices known as SMS blasters. The machines are based in cars and they electronically hijacked phones in the vicinity and sent messages, seemingly from the Parking Foundation website, which demanded payment of CHF 40 for an unpaid fine. 

The QR code sent diverted victims to a fake website. It's thought the scammers made more than CHF 2m.

More from Bitesize News

  • Twint scam warning

    Switzerland has launched a national campaign to help the public spot online scams that exploit the Twint payment app

  • Water ban in parts of Valais

    Val de Bagnes has banned residents from using the irrigation network to water gardens and lawns, as Valais water reserves fall to critical levels

  • New insurance premium initiative

    Switzerland's Socialist Party is expected to launch signature collection today for an initiative linking health insurance premiums to household income

  • Rail link critical

    The Lausanne-Geneva rail line must be Switzerland's "absolute priority", according to the country's public transport association

  • Income not enough for many households

    Nearly 360,000 Swiss workers already earn too little to support their households, and the imminent health premium announcement threatens to push more families under

  • Speed limit decrease in parts of Lausanne

    Several new streets in central Lausanne will drop to 30 kilometres per hour from 12 October, day and night, according to a letter the city has sent to affected residents

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play