Google Play Store users should be sure they do not have any of the 151 scam apps installed (or have previously installed any of them).
In a recent report, BGR reported that cybersecurity company Avast had found a widespread premium SMS scam that operates on the official Play Store. In its investigation, Avast named it the UltimaSMS campaign (since its first scam app that was found was Ultima Keyboard 3D Pro), and found that it consisted of 151 fake apps that were downloaded over 10.5 million times by people in more than 80 territories
Many of the apps are disguised as legitimate apps, such as custom keyboards, cameras, cameras filters, high-quality downloaders, file managers, SMS bots, and QR code scanners. The goal of all of them is to sign customers up for premium SMS services.
The apps work the same: After installation, the device’s location is activated, IMEI and phone number are then used to determine the language and area code. Users are then asked to provide their phone numbers and sometimes their email addresses.
By using this information, premium SMS service subscriptions are automatically activated without the user’s knowledge. Users may not realize that charges are withdrawn for weeks or months, as they are often $40 or more per month.
When the ‘undercover UltimaSMS app achieves its goal, it either ceases to function or offers an additional subscription option rather than delivering what the app was supposed to do. It is inconvenient since even if users uninstall the application at this point, they will still be charged for premium SMS subscriptions.
This scam is made up of 151 apps, and Avast compiled a list of all 151 apps involved in the scam, and the list is listed below; Android users should keep an eye out for it.
For any of these apps you currently have installed (or have previously installed), make sure you delete them, and check your billing statement and inform your carrier if anything seems strange. In addition to this, you can request that your carrier disables premium SMS options on your account so that you won’t be subject to future scams of this nature.
Phone users have been targeted before and it will not be the last time with scam apps. There has also been a rise in malware attacks, with tens of millions of Android devices being infected with a malware called GriftHorse as discovered last month.
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List of Scam App Uncovered
- Ultima Keyboard 3D Pro
- VideoMixer Editor Pro
- FX Animate Editor Pro
- Battery Animation Charge 2021
- Dynamic HD & 4K Wallpapers
- RGB Neon HD Keyboard Background
- AppLock X FREE
- NewVision Camera
- Ultra Camera HD
- Wi-Fi Password Unlock
- Wi-Fi Around: All Wi-Fi and Hotspots Unlock
- Colorful Call Screen & Phone Flash
- Waterdrinker Reminder
- GT Sports Racing Online
- Magic Fonts and Keyboard 2021
- All Language Photo and Voice Translator AI
- Crime City: Revenge
- Reface Ultra
- Projector HD/AR Video Editor
- LivePhoto Animator
- Ludo Masterpiece Online
- Mobile Scanner Pro: PDF Scanner App, Scan to PDF
- Magic Mix Cut – Super Video Editor
- Future Scanner FREE 2021
- Pro Video Downloader 2021
- AmazeTranslate
- Football Masters 2021
- New Body Shape Editor
- Call Voice Recording 2.0
- Pro Tuber AdBlocker for Video
- Fitness Ultimate 2021
- Wallpaper XYZ Pro
- PhotoLab Pro +
- iOS Launcher X 2021
- Stay Fit: Home Fitness Plan
- Chat Translator Pro for WhatsApp
- Roll Your Icons
- CosmosVPN
- Amore Live Random Chat
- Game Center: Complete Edition
- All HD Video SX – Smart Player
- Easy Smart Translator Pro
- Easy Chat Translator for WhatsApp
- Spam Calls Buster
- WhoCall Caller ID and Spam Blocker
- Pulse Rate Checker
- NOWDownloader and Private Apps
- Video Saver & Private Browser
- Wallpaper Anime for Android
- Pixelize Art
- Muslim Memoji & Stickers for Whatsapp com.muslimemo.jistickers
- Easy Chat Translator: All Language
- SecVPN: Fast and Secure VPN
- LED Border
- Smart Global Translator
- Free Launcher X Pro
- ICall U – Online Video Hotchat
- Pure Tube PRO: Block Video Ads
- Future AI Scan Free 2021
- Qibla Finder: Qibla Compass & Prayer Times 2021
- EasyCode: QR and Barcode Scanner
- Wi-Fi Opensignal
- Ano caller: Spam List & Caller ID
- Pro Calls Recorder
- Amazing Arab Videos
- Chat Keyboard Translator PRO
- Wi-Fi Secret Master
- Soltpapers: 4K Custom Wallpapers
- Easy Photo Recovery 2021
- Whistle Phone Finder
- Calls ID Unlocker
- Ludo Masters 2021
- Mawlid An-Nabi
- Truck Driver Simulation
- Stickers Maker ART
- My Rolling Icons
- Clap and Find
- Live Cam Pro 2021: Earth cam & Live Street View
- VPN Fastest Edition
- Cold Fan Free 2021
- Mawlid An-Nabi
- Magic Keyboards and Fonts
- Recovery Old Photo
- Fast Dates Chat
- Luck Casino
- Egyptian Gods
- Easy iOS Launcher 2021
- Phone Finder
- Pixler: Face Retouch & Effects
- XCall
- Rubic’s Cube: Real Time Solver
- All Translator: Photo, Voice & Text
- Parallels – Multi Accounts
- XN Wallpapers: 4K/3D/Parallax, Auto Changer
- Whos Called: Multi-SIM Caller ID and SpamBlock
- Wi-Fi Security and VPN
- Photo & Voice Translator
- AR Qibla Easy Finder Pro
- AppLocker X Pro 2021
- Meme Voice Changer PRO
- Projector video HD Editor
- StarMaker PRO
- Video Downloader Master
- inpulse – DJ Mix App
- Make Wallpaper and Widget
- Wally4K
- Muslim Stickers and Memoji for WhatsApp
- Battery Charging Effects: From 0 to 100%
- DiskRecover: Photo & Files Recovery
- Photoshop Detector
- Likes & Followers for Tik-Tok
- Camera Translator
- WI-FI UnlockerPRO
- Arabic Keyboard
- Teammate Finder
- Ultra Live Wallpapers 4Κ and Ringtones
- Wi – Fi Holder
- Cartoon Photo Editor Pro
- VPN Toaster: Easy Network Access
- My Mia 4K Wallpapers
- Magic Pop It: AR & 3D Relax
- Rainbowed: Gay Random chat & Live stream
- Easy Wifi Access & Fast Vpn
- Rec Old File
- Photellon
- Free Secret Downloader
- Loopy Live: Global Streaming Video Chat
- Earth Scanner
- Professional Hidden Device Detector
- HDlife Camera and Video
- WOX – Antivirus & Cleaner, Applock, Booster
- ForMuslims
- Chat Translator for WhatsApp
- AR Video PRO Downloader
- Easy Hidden Apps Detector
- Smart City Taxi
- WI-FI Unlock Password
- Downloader ALL Social file
- Hidden Section: Secret Lock
- AIM PRO Helper and Custom Crosshair
- Fingerprint Hider 2021
- iDownloader: Social Network Media
- Stickers Up!
- Hacker Simulator App
- MiaWall4K
- Photo Animation PRO
- My Photo Battery Charging 2021
- ToEdit: Body and Face Retouch
- TrueCaller ID: Caller ID, Spam Block, and Chat
- Couch Watcher – Guide of Streaming
- VidMixer Pro
