Millions of Android users targeted in subscription fraud campaign

[silversurfer]

Content source

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/millions-of-android-users-targeted-in-subscription-fraud-campaign/

A massive fraud campaign utilizing 151 Android apps with 10.5 million downloads was used to subscribe users to premium subscription services without their knowledge.

Researchers at Avast discovered the campaign, naming it 'UltimaSMS,' and reported 80 associated apps that they found on the Google Play Store.

While Google quickly removed the apps, the fraudsters likely ammassed millions of dollars in fraudulent subscription charges.

Millions of Android users targeted in subscription fraud campaign

A new SMS scam campaign relying upon 151 apps has been uncovered, with many of these apps managing to find their way into the Play Store where they amassed 10.5 million downloads.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

 

[[correlate]]

A global fraud campaign has been found leveraging 151 malicious Android apps with 10.5 million downloads to rope users into premium subscription services without their consent and knowledge.

The premium SMS scam campaign — dubbed "UltimaSMS" — is believed to commenced in May 2021 and involved apps that cover a wide range of categories, including keyboards, QR code scanners, video and photo editors, spam call blockers, camera filters, and games, with most of the fraudulent apps downloaded by users in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the U.A.E., Turkey, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, the U.S., and Poland.

Over 10 Million Android Users Targeted With Premium SMS Scam Apps

As part of a global premium SMS scam campaign, over 10 million users were targeted with 151 malicious Android apps from the Google Play Store.

thehackernews.com