Bishop says hackers made his life a misery
It is an experience he would not want anyone to go through....
A respected church leader has spoken of his ‘terrifying experience’ after his cellphone was hacked and messages were sent out to those on his contact list asking for ‘vouchers to be purchased to help him out’.
Bishop Thulani Xaba of Open Space Ministry said he had not even realised a hacker had managed to do an illegal ‘SIM swap’ on his phone and access his contact list to send out the messages.
“I was at a funeral in Nquthu some weeks ago where there was no cellphone coverage. I think that was when the SIM swap was done as normally one would receive an alert on one’s phone. When I returned home to Glencoe I still had no signal. Suddenly my wife started receiving calls from people asking if I was alright because they had received messages purportedly from me requesting them to buy me Hollywood vouchers – valued from R500 to R5000 – from either Spar or from a Shell Garage.”
Some people, who know me well, realised it was not me sending the messages because those who questioned why they should buy the vouchers were subjected to abusive messages and people know that is certainly not me.”
Bishop Xaba said he had never heard of a ‘Hollywood voucher’. “Apparently once the person had bought the voucher they had to take a photo of it so the recipient (supposedly me) could see the numbers and cash the voucher. The message said I would repay the money the following day.”
He said his wife even received calls from the MEC of Health Dr S Dhlomo, with whom Bishop Xaba works closely within the field of Aids counselling. He wanted to know if the Bishop ‘was in Hollywood and needed money to get home’.
“It was terrible. I did not know what was going on. Some people, who know me well, realised it was not me sending the messages because those who questioned why they should buy the vouchers were subjected to abusive messages and people know that is certainly not me.”
“I opened a charge with the Glencoe SAPS. Then I started receiving threatening messages – probably from the same person who hacked my phone – and I have since opened a charge of intimidation.”
One of his friends borrowed R5000 to buy the voucher and send a photo to what he thought was Bishop Xaba’s phone. “It was so embarrassing when I had to explain it was a con. Fortunately, my friend understood and we sorted things out.”
Bishop Xaba, whose sermons are also broadcast on Ukhozi FM, said he had gone on air to explain to listeners that they should disregard any messages asking them to buy Hollywood vouchers. “People are being conned out of money and my name is being used.”
Bishop Xaba did a SIM swap, but the hacker got into his phone again. However, when he did another swap, Vodacom advised that his phone should be ”flagged” – meaning that a SIM swap would only be done if the user produces his ID, proof of residence and record of airtime bought.
“I would advise all cellphone users to do this to ensure they are protected. It is very disturbing to go through such an experience.” Bishop Xaba said he was so worried that he could not even eat and only his faith, family and friends ‘kept him sane’.
“I opened a charge with the Glencoe SAPS. Then I started receiving threatening messages – probably from the same person who hacked my phone – and I have since opened a charge of intimidation.”
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