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The scam was reportedly carried out using SMS blaster devices in suitcases on the London Underground.
These devices sent fraudulent text messages to nearby phones, according to prosecutors.
Zhijia Fan, 48 and Daoyan Shang, 20, are accused of running a conspiracy to defraud members of the public by sending fake messages.
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The messages claimed to be from delivery services such as Evri or Royal Mail and encouraged recipients to click a link and enter personal information.
The two men, who have no fixed address, deny conspiracy to defraud and possession of an article to be used in fraud.
Prosecutor Alex Davidson told the jury at Inner London Crown Court: “The prosecution say that these two individuals were part of a crime group who, early last year, wheeled around devices in suitcases, known as SMS blasters, on the London Underground which sent scam messages to passengers’ phones, pretending to be from Evri and Royal Mail.”
Mr Davidson said the alleged scam came to light when an off-duty British Transport Police officer became suspicious of a suitcase with holes in it.
He explained that the SMS blasters acted as fake mobile towers.
The devices forced nearby phones to connect and then sent out fraudulent messages.
Mr Davidson said the plot was led by Fan, who is described in evidence as the “top boss” and “sits at the apex of this organised crime group”.
He claimed Shang acted as Fan’s “right-hand man”.
The suitcases used in the scam were reinforced with metal and ventilated to carry bulky base stations.
Investigators seized mobile phones and an antenna from Fan, while the same items along with base stations were discovered in Shang’s possession.
Wan Hafiz, another alleged gang member, has already pleaded guilty.
A further suspect, Jinhua Zhang, is said to be on the run after fleeing while on bail.
The court also heard alleged plans to target the Paris Metro using a similar scheme.
Mr Davidson said this was further evidence implicating Fan as “someone who is in the business of defrauding members of the public.”
The trial is ongoing.
