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A NEW internet service has been launched which allows subscribers to send a text message that appears to come from someone else's mobile phone.
The service, launched 18 months ago, has been used primarily by suspicious spouses to entrap their partner into revealing an infidelity, according to site founder Danny Fletcher.
But it has also been used by amateur matchmakers to unite love-lorn but reticent friends; by workers to cause panic among colleagues through bogus texts from the boss, and even from parents sending friendly text exchanges to children from Santa Claus at Christmas.
The site, which is located at www.sharpmail.co.uk sells bundles of fake text messages for around £1 each. It also allows users to send emails from any address.
"I think ur husband knows what we r up to. Call me," one suspicious man texted while waiting for his wife's reaction, according to information provided by Mr Fletcher.
Personal security experts have long warned against the potential havoc caused by bogus text and email messaging services.
Mr Fletcher said the site keeps a full log of every text sent and has a list of "blocked" words to help prevent the service being used for identity theft.
Blocked words include the official sounding "yahoostaff", the information seeking "passcode" and "sort code", online site names such as eBay and bank names such as Halifax and Barclays.
Mr Fletcher added that most bogus texts are uncovered quickly because replies to text messages go straight to the bogus number.
The website currently receives 1.3 million hits a month and 200 new users sign up each day.
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