Nokia

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

posted by PhoneArena / Apr 22, 2009, 2:30 PM

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

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

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27 Comments

1. Neolander unregistered

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

posted on Oct 20, 2010, 1:43 AM 0

2. HOVA

Posts: 564; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

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."

posted on Apr 22, 2009, 2:55 PM 0

7. Legion

Posts: 397; Member since: Dec 12, 2008

engadget mobile ftphonearena!!

posted on Apr 22, 2009, 4:34 PM 0

3. Dood

Posts: 269; Member since: Mar 23, 2009

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...

posted on Apr 22, 2009, 3:01 PM 0

4. cphorn15

Posts: 6; Member since: Apr 21, 2009

Do you mean a Euro?

posted on Apr 22, 2009, 3:07 PM 0

6. Dood

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

posted on Apr 22, 2009, 4:10 PM 0

8. vzw fanman

Posts: 1977; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

a dollar sign?

posted on Apr 22, 2009, 5:36 PM 0

9. lovexlucy

Posts: 16; Member since: Feb 14, 2009

€ is a euro lol

posted on Apr 22, 2009, 7:05 PM 0

5. dorky24

Posts: 23; Member since: Apr 22, 2009

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

posted on Apr 22, 2009, 3:19 PM 0

10. jake.gomez

Posts: 1; Member since: Apr 22, 2009

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

posted on Apr 22, 2009, 9:42 PM 0

11. Ifko42

Posts: 3; Member since: Apr 23, 2009

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

posted on Apr 23, 2009, 1:49 AM 0

12. Legion

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

posted on Apr 23, 2009, 11:33 AM 0

13. sufiyanrajwani

Posts: 2; Member since: May 12, 2009

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

posted on May 12, 2009, 5:01 AM 0

14. leng1980

Posts: 1; Member since: May 15, 2009

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

posted on May 15, 2009, 3:00 AM 0

15. sufiyanrajwani

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

posted on May 15, 2009, 4:35 AM 0

16. nokia1100

Posts: 1; Member since: May 20, 2009

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

posted on May 20, 2009, 4:27 AM 0

17. adminda

Posts: 1; Member since: Aug 03, 2009

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..

posted on Aug 03, 2009, 4:26 AM 0

18. n0mad

Posts: 1; Member since: Sep 22, 2009

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

posted on Sep 22, 2009, 7:00 AM 0

19. Al|n

Posts: 1; Member since: Oct 25, 2009

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

posted on Oct 25, 2009, 1:59 PM 0

20. Giovani unregistered

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

posted on Aug 06, 2010, 1:55 PM 0

21. Linux unregistered

I have Nokia 1100 RH17 & RH18 MADE IN GERMANY BOTH If anyone is interested in baying the mobile phones, mail me @ linuxrulz@t-home.mk or SkypeID: linuxmkd

posted on Aug 09, 2010, 10:46 PM 0

22. tanjga72 unregistered

I sell Nokia rh 17,Germany,2003,the best price on market tanjga72@gmail.com

posted on Nov 07, 2010, 2:10 PM 0

24. html tools unregistered

Nokia 1100 is a bit old phone and is now become obsolete as the company is no more selling this phone. However, users like me still rely on this. I have bought a Nokia 1100 almost five years ago and I am still using this as my secondary phone

posted on Mar 11, 2011, 9:32 PM 0

25. xxxxxxxx unregistered

http://nokia1100.weebly.com/index.html WE DEAL ORIGINAL NOKIA 1100 MADE IN GERMANY, BOCHUM, RH-15,16,17,18 YEAR MADE 2001,2002,2003. WE HAVE ACCESS TO A VERY LARGE STOCK OF THESE USED , FULL WORKING PHONES. ASK US FOR ANY NEEDS, WE WILL FIND THE RIGHT MODEL FOR YOU. WE CAN FIND SPECIAL IMEI. 868 MHZ SUPPORTED. ONE PHONE COST 700 EUR . WE SHIP FROM EU. proxyuser@akapost.com

posted on Mar 27, 2011, 3:39 AM 0

26. Gloria Ruiz unregistered

Want to buy Nokia 1100 used, tested with or with out battery. Any quantity. Also ald models used and refurbished phones. Our Business are moving a lot of used phones, all models, to Latin America. If you have let me know Phone: 1 305 594 2907 Best Regards, Gloria from Wigsm, LLC. Miami, USA