Home
›
News
›
Hackers seem to be on a buying spree for Nokia 1100 phones, Nokia has no idea why

Hackers seem to be on a buying spree for Nokia 1100 phones, Nokia has no idea why

Posted: 22 Apr 2009, 14:30, by PhoneArena

Categories: Nokia Nokia Bookmark

Discuss 25

Hackers seem to be on a buying spree for Nokia 1100 phones, Nokia has no idea why

Featured Stories

Samsung Galaxy S III launching in Canada June 20th according to leaked screenshot

German court ruling could force Google to make significant changes to Android

Juror in Android lawsuit: "Oracle didn't come close"

Nokia 1100 is an entry-level phone released in late 2003, targeting developing markets and consumers looking for a basic, affordable device. The device was a great success and together with its successors sold over 200 million units. Then it was discontinued and ultimately forgotten. At least until recently when the price of the used Nokia 1100 phones, produced in Bochum - Germany, started to go up suspiciously, from about €500 a few months back to nearly €20,000 now. Needless to say, this is quite odd for a cell phone that originally sold for under €100, so investigators suspect some kind of bug gives unscrupulous individuals the opportunity to commit banking frauds using this device in particular.

PC World reports Nokia has stated they are unaware of the fact the price of their obsolete device has gone so far up. The company also said in e-mailed statement that they “…have not identified any phone software problem that would allow alleged use cases”.
Whether Nokia testers have missed something remains to be seen as security analysts are trying to acquire a Bochum-made Nokia 1100 to test their own theories. Until then you can tell us your opinion. Can you think of any legal reason as to why someone would be willing to shell out €20,000 on an obsolete device, given its strongest selling point used to be that it could be used as a flashlight?

source: PC World

Discuss25

Prev news
Sony Ericsson gets cut up for slow repairs in UK 22 Apr

Next news
AT&T doubles the speed of its HSPA network? 22 Apr

25 Comments
Follow Following

Post Comment
View options
Close
Show comments: Display mode:

1. Neolander (unregistered) posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:43 0 0

Maybe they found some hardware or software design failure that allows to finally hack the GSM/CDMA encryption completely ? :p

2. *HOVA* posted on 22 Apr 2009, 14:55 0 0

Here's a much better explanation from engadget.. "...certain makes of the super-popular handset can apparently be reprogrammed to use someone else's phone number, allowing them to receive text messaged bank passwords (common in parts of Europe), thus making it much, much easier to steal people's money. The software flaw has been pointed out by Ultrascan Advance Global Investigations, who were contacted by police who had noted the curiously high offering prices on the old-timey candybar."

7. Legion posted on 22 Apr 2009, 16:34 0 0

engadget mobile ftphonearena!!

3. Dood posted on 22 Apr 2009, 15:01 0 0

I bet it's going for so much because the hackers are adding a new feature to re-sell them at much more "whatever the hell that symbol for money means"... A Razor attachment...

4. cphorn15 posted on 22 Apr 2009, 15:07 0 0

Do you mean a Euro?

6. Dood posted on 22 Apr 2009, 16:10 0 0

No...that wierd money symbol they have above... Dur... ((before anyone starts flaming...sarcasm...))

8. vzw fanman posted on 22 Apr 2009, 17:36 0 0

a dollar sign?

9. lovexlucy posted on 22 Apr 2009, 19:05 0 0

€ is a euro lol

5. dorky24 posted on 22 Apr 2009, 15:19 0 0

lol, i bet 4chan did something to this, telling everyone to start buying these phones just to mess with people.

10. jake.gomez posted on 22 Apr 2009, 21:42 0 0

OMG I just checked my Nokia 1100 and it is made in Germany. How can sell it? I'l be more than happy to share the fortune if someone can help me sell this phone. email me: jake.gomez01@gmail.com

11. Ifko42 posted on 23 Apr 2009, 01:49 0 0

I have such phone too. Just checked in the ebay. The prices are between 50-100 euro.

12. Legion posted on 23 Apr 2009, 11:33 0 0

lol, I checked it too after I read this and was not suprised to see phonearena is wrong yet again.

13. sufiyanrajwani posted on 12 May 2009, 05:01 0 0

i am having 1 piece of nokia 1100 plz provide me the best price of what you can give the i can give the photo also to the serious buyers my email id is sufiyanrajwani @ gmail . com, +919998152560

14. leng1980 posted on 15 May 2009, 03:00 0 0

I have a nokia 1100,information:V5.62/25-10-04/RH-38/(C)NMP/Serial no. 35535500139****/Made 002003/Purchasing date mmyyyy/Repaired 000000/Life time 0047:34/here’s my email address: leng1980@gmail.com

15. sufiyanrajwani posted on 15 May 2009, 04:35 0 0

i am having 1 piece of nokia 1100 made in germany plz provide me the best price of what you can give the i can give the photo also to the serious buyers my email id is sufiyanrajwani @ gmail . com, +919998152560

16. nokia1100 posted on 20 May 2009, 04:27 0 0

Dear All I HAVE ONE NOKIA1100 GERMANY MAKE PHONE WITH ME,IF ANYONE INTERESTED TO PURCHASE THE SAME CONTACT ME ON nokia1100sale@yahoo.com

17. adminda posted on 03 Aug 2009, 04:26 0 0

i have a Nokia 1100 made in germany pic. can be send or moro info.. selling it fast and cheap.. Contact me at Tino_2200@hotmail.com Location denmark..

18. n0mad posted on 22 Sep 2009, 07:00 0 0

Want to sell nokia 1100 phones made in germany, type rh17, contact me with serious offers at la_revolution_90@hotmail.com , or at 0033642445744

19. Al|n posted on 25 Oct 2009, 13:59 0 0

I have a nokia 1100. If anyone is interested e-mail me. alin1605@gmail.com

20. Giovani (unregistered) posted on 06 Aug 2010, 13:55 0 0

I am selling my nokia 1100 rh 18 made in Germany in 2003 I can provide picture for you, works exelent contact me on giovanicapello@gmali.com