This story was first published on November 22, 2004
A series of forwarded email messages have claimed that a destructive virus will infect your mobile (cell) phone if you receive a call that displays “ACE” or “XALAN” on the screen.
Variants of this hoax have been circulating since 1999. The information in the email is untrue and it was never confirmed by Motorola and Nokia as claimed.
If a virus had really destroyed the mobile phones of 3 million US users it would be a major news story around the world. However, there are no credible news or reports or security warnings about an attack like the one described.
Since I first published this report back in 2004, mobile phone malware has become an increasing threat. Users certainly need to remain vigilant with regard to this threat.
However, passing on the false information in this old hoax message will do nothing to help keep mobile phone users safe from malware attacks.
Any “virus warnings” received via a forwarded email should not be taken at face value. Always take the time to confirm the information at a reputable anti-virus website.
Examples of the hoax message:
Subject: FW: URGENT message for mobile phone users!!!
URGENT message for mobile phone users!!!Please be careful and mindful! All mobile users pay attention if you receive a phone call and your mobile phone displays ( ACE ) on the screen don’t answer the call. END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY if you answer the call, your phone will be infected by a virus. This virus will erase all IMEI and IMSI information from both your phone and your SIM card, which will make your phone unable to connect with the telephone network.
You will have to buy a new phone. This information has been confirmed by both Motorola and Nokia. There are over 3 Million mobile phones being infected by this virus in USA now. you can also check this news in the CNN web site.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS PIECE OF INFORMATION TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS.
All mobile users pay attention!!!!!!!!!
If you receive a phone call and your mobile phone displays(XALAN)on the screen don’t answer the call, END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY,if you answer the call,your phone will be infected by a virus. This virus WILL ERASE all IMEI and IMSI information from both your phone and your SIM card, which will make your phone unable to connect with the telephone network. You will have to buy a new phone. This information has been confirmed by both Motorola and Nokia. There are over 3 Million mobile phones being infected by this virus in all around the world now. You can also check this news in the CNN web site.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS PIECE OF INFORMATION TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS HAVING A MOBILE PHONE.
ATTENTION!!!
NOW THERE IS A VIRUS ON MOBILE PHONE SYSTEM. All mobile phone in DIGITAL system can be infected by this virus. If you receive a phone call and your phone display “UNAVAILABLE” on the screen (for most of digital mobile phones with a function to display in-coming call telephone number), DON’T ANSWER THE CALL. END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY!!! BECAUSE IF YOU ANSWER THE CALL, YOUR PHONE WILL BE INFECTED BY THIS VIRUS.
This virus will erase all IMIE and IMSI information from both your phone and your SIM card which will make your phone unable to connect with the telephone network. You will have to buy a new phone.
This information has been confirmed by both Motorola and Nokia. Formore information, please visit Motorola or Nokia web sites: http://www.mot.com or http://www.nokia.com .
There are over 3 million mobile phone being infected by this virus in USA now. You can also check this news in CNN web
A related hoax:
Importance Notice
After considerable thought and with an ache in my heart, I have decided that the time has come to close down the Hoax-Slayer website.These days, the site does not generate enough revenue to cover expenses, and I do not have the financial resources to sustain it going forward.
Moreover, I now work long hours in a full-time and physically taxing job, so maintaining and managing the website and publishing new material has become difficult for me.
And finally, after 18 years of writing about scams and hoaxes, I feel that it is time for me to take my fingers off the keyboard and focus on other projects and pastimes.
When I first started Hoax-Slayer, I never dreamed that I would still be working on the project all these years later or that it would become such an important part of my life. It's been a fantastic and engaging experience and one that I will always treasure.
I hope that my work over the years has helped to make the Internet a little safer and thwarted the activities of at least a few scammers and malicious pranksters.
A Big Thank You
I would also like to thank all of those wonderful people who have supported the project by sharing information from the site, contributing examples of scams and hoaxes, offering suggestions, donating funds, or helping behind the scenes.I would especially like to thank David White for his tireless contribution to the Hoax-Slayer Facebook Page over many years. David's support has been invaluable, and I can not thank him enough.
Closing Date
Hoax-Slayer will still be around for a few weeks while I wind things down. The site will go offline on May 31, 2021. While I will not be publishing any new posts, you can still access existing material on the site until the date of closure.Thank you, one and all!
Brett Christensen,
Hoax-Slayer
