Is this phone compromised? Sending invisible SMS Is there a way to take control of an android phone and to send SMS from it without the owner noticing?

Let me explain :

My niece (12yo) have been accused of sending insulting text message to several of her classmate over the last week but she denies it and there is no record of these SMS on her phone.

In doubt, I've seized her phone last friday to sort this out and it happened again yesterday but this time the phone was out of reach from her so i'm 100% sure she didn't do it.

Please note that :


I called my operator who confirmed that a SMS was sent yesterday. 
I asked the kid to send me a screenshot of the sms he received to make sure he wasn't just lying.


Anyone knows what's going on here?
Most definitely, non-system applications can send SMS messages, and then delete them from the history.  I use PushBullet all the time to send SMS messages using an app on my Windows desktop, via a corresponding app on my mobile phone.  See pushbullet.com.

On more recent versions of Android (you haven't said what you're running) non-standard apps have to be explicitly permitted to send SMS messages.  This permission can be enabled and disabled in the system settings.  Exactly where in the settings depends on the version of Android you're running.  On some systems, go to "Settings" -> "Networks" -> "More" and then find "Default messaging app" or "Defalt SMS app".

Also, "Device administrator" apps can get increased access to your system, which may include access to SMS.  Check "Device administrators" in the "Security" settings to see a list of apps, and to remove them if required.

Also, consider uninstalling any apps that you don't recognise, or even doing a factory reset.