Sole Trader Sent Approx 1M Spam Texts to UK Residents in Debt, Reports ICO
Sole Trader Sent Approx 1M Spam Texts to UK Residents in Debt, Reports ICO
Bharat Singh Chand was fined £200,000 by the ICO following 19,138 complaints.
A sole proprietor was fined £200,000 by Britain’s data authority for sending nearly a million spam SMS, or about 20 pence each, to debtors.
Between December 3, 2023, and July 3, 2024, Bharat Singh Chand sent 966,449 messages from 383 mobile numbers proposing energy-saving grants and debt solutions, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). As a result, the fine was verified today.
During a separate inquiry into a person accused of sending SMS on Chand’s behalf and offering advice regarding a SIM farm, the regulator became aware of the actions of the Carmarthenshire sole trader who has challenged the judgment.
The ICO alleges that the communications only asked the receiver to respond “YES” in order to learn more about debt services, without providing a website URL or any other identifying information about the sender. Those who answered “yes” were contacted by a business identifying itself as “The Debt Relief Team.”
“Despite a call script being on open display,” Chand denied involvement in the scheme when ICO inspectors used a search warrant to enter his home on June 11 of last year, according to the watchdog.
Additional “evidence” included WhatsApp exchanges about “discussing excuses to provide to another related ICO investigation” between Chand and a third party, in which he seemed to urge someone else to “lie” in response to a letter from the Commissioner.
The 7726 spam reporting service got a staggering 19,138 complaints regarding the spam SMS. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) fined Chand for “knowingly and deliberately transmitting or instigating the transmission of 966,449 text messages without valid consent, breaking direct marketing rules.”
Compensation Claims Direct, Consumer Claims Ltd, Consumer Marketing Solutions Limited, Platinum Home Designs Ltd, Databook Ltd, Bombay Bites Takeaway Ltd, and Blue Box Pictures Ltd are the seven businesses that Chand has served as a registered director of.
In a statement, ICO head of investigations Andy Curry said, “These texts were obviously directed at individuals who are more vulnerable to harm, like those who are struggling financially, in addition to being an annoyance to the thousands of recipients.
During our inquiry, Chand attempted to deceive the ICO and displayed flagrant contempt for the law. We’ve taken steps to shield the public from the anxiety and suffering that these communications may bring about.”
The ICO stated that the 20 percent reduction on the £200,000 fine that would have been granted if it had been paid before October 16 is not available because Chand filed an appeal.
About the Author:
Yogesh Naager is a content marketer who specializes in the cybersecurity and B2B space. Besides writing for the News4Hackers blogs, he also writes for brands including Craw Security, Bytecode Security, and NASSCOM.
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