Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged three men following an investigation into an SMS phishing scam allegedly responsible for sending more than 80 million fraudulent text messages.

Strike Force Kanbi was established by the Cybercrime Squad to investigate the use of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) boxes – electronic devices used to send bulk text messages containing fraudulent links.

The text messages typically claim to be from a legitimate institution but contain a fraudulent link that directs the victim to an illegitimate website.

Strike force detectives worked with telecommunications networks to identify the location of New South Wales’ most prolific SIM boxes, which police will allege were responsible for sending more than 80 million messages in five months.

Strike force detectives aided by the Public Order and Riot Squad executed two search warrants at units in Burwood on February 15.

Police arrested two men aged 37 and 43 in one unit and found three large SIM boxes and a number of SIM cards.

A 35-year-old man was arrested at a second unit, where a large amount of identity information, SIM cards, cannabis and eight mobile phones were found.

The men were taken to Burwood Police Station where the older men were both charged with use equipment connected to network to commit serious offence and deal with identity info to commit etc indictable.

The 35-year-old was charged with using equipment connected to network to commit serious offence, deal with identity info to commit etc indictable offence and possess prohibited drug.

All three men were refused bail and appeared in Burwood Local Court on February 16 where they were formally refused bail to re-appear in the same court on March 1.

Police have urged anyone with information that might assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers.