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Smishing messages in many languages lure victims with alleged package problems in order to steal credit card data via fake links; the scammers earn billions. Two Norwegian hackers penetrate the scammers' software, discover a Telegram chat group, and observe for a year until a scammer reveals too much.
"Magic Cat" is Chinese scammer software; young men boast in a Chinese Telegram group about stolen credit cards, luxury goods, and cars; a user leads to clues in Bangkok and California, and reporters confront the perpetrators and examine their motives.
The DHL scam investigation leads to China: the developer and many scammers are based there, government countermeasures appear weak, and refunds for victims are difficult; after release, the developer disappears and "Magic Cat" goes offline, but the cat-and-mouse game continues.