Toronto police announced the arrest of three men linked to a mobile SMS‑blasting operation that targeted thousands of devices across the Greater Toronto Area. The investigation, dubbed Project Lighthouse, began after a security partner reported a rogue cellular tower in downtown Toronto. Authorities say the suspects face 44 charges ranging from fraud to unauthorized interference with emergency communications.

The device mimicked legitimate towers, forcing nearby phones to connect and receive fraudulent “smishing” texts that directed users to fake login pages. Detectives estimate tens of thousands of phones linked to the blaster over several months, generating more than 13 million network disruptions that briefly blocked access to services like 9‑1‑1. The hardware was concealed in vehicles, allowing it to roam the city.

Police executed search warrants in Markham and Hamilton on March 31, seizing multiple blasters and related electronics. A third suspect surrendered on April 21 after coordinated efforts with the RCMP’s National Cybercrime Coordination Centre, York Regional Police, Hamilton Police and several telecom firms. Officials urge the public to ignore unexpected texts, avoid clicking links, and report any fraud to law enforcement.