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Android alert: 7 million users downloaded ‘stalking’ apps that were actually scams

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Normally, when it comes to scams, there is clearly a bad party and it's usually the grifter. However, a new scam uncovered by security researchers at ESET lands squarely in the everyone is probably wrong zone. The scam involves a series of 28 apps dubbed "CallPhantom" by ESET that racked up more than 7.3 million downloads on the Google Play Store . The various apps promised to give users access to call histories, SMS records and even WhatsApp call logs for any phone number. Some of the apps demanded users' email addresses where the fake call history would supposedly be sent. However, no "data" would be sent until after payment. Surprisingly, none of the apps requested intrusive permissions on the scammed individual's phone. Payments to the apps were split up as well. Some relied on the Google Play Store's official billing system, which is required for apps that offer in-app purchases. Some utilized third-party payments or had payment card checkout forms that side-stepped Google's policies though.…

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