YORK, Ontario, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Terror groups have "cloned" cellphones of Canada's Rogers Wireless executives and subscribers to make thousands of overseas calls.
According to the company's Web site, "Rogers Communications Inc. is Canada's national communications company. We are engaged in Digital PCS, cellular, messaging and data communications through Rogers Wireless; in cable television, high-speed Internet access and video retailing through Rogers Cable Inc.; and in radio and television broadcasting, tele-shopping, publishing and new media businesses through Rogers Media Inc."
Following a month-long trip to Israel, Rogers Wireless billed York University Osgoode Hall Law School Professor Susan Drummond $12,237.60. The bill included a five-page inventory of calls charged to her phone, nearly all of them abroad to countries including Pakistan, Libya, Syria, India and Russia, the Globe and Mail reported.
Drummond called Rogers Wireless, which told her to pay the entire amount. Drummond subsequently determined that the phones of senior Rogers executives, including Rogers himself, were repeatedly "cloned" by terrorist groups, including some linked to Hezbollah, that made thousands of overseas calls.
Terrorists target senior cell phone company officers because wireless companies are reluctant to terminate their service for a number of reasons, including inconvenience and potential bad publicity if the story leaked to the media.
Drummond is taking Rogers Wireless to court, alleging that the company can easily spot a fraud-in-progress, yet "lets the meter run."
