Today's blog post is based on scammers and fraudsters in the App Development Community, specifically those targeting people on the Play Store Console. Please read this message or post carefully and thoroughly to understand it, in order to avoid falling victim to scams.
Here we go:
There are software developers on the internet who create malware or virus applications. When you install such an app, it gains access to your data, including location, credit card numbers, device information, and more. These developers aim to share these virus applications on the Play Store, posing a threat to users who download the applications onto their devices. According to my research, these virus applications can deduct money from your account or steal credit card details linked to Google Play Store. They can also steal cookie data to gain unauthorized access to your information.
As these scam apps are flagged as malware, the Play Store has tightened its app verification process. Consequently, these apps cannot be published or go live on the Play Store. If the Play Store identifies your app as these scam application during testing, it will promptly terminate or ban your entire Google Play Store console account. This strict action is taken to protect users, as these scam apps compromise their data without their knowledge.
NB: Typically, these scam applications come in the form of game applications. This means they create casino, arcade, simulation games and inject virus codes into them because game apps are the ones most people download on the Play Store for entertainment. They use this as their strategy. Currently, they use casino, arcade, simulation games as their scam app, but they may change that in the future. Due to the strict policies on the Play Store, they can't create new Play Store console accounts easily. Creating a Play Store console account is challenging these days due to the extensive information required, such as your ID and location ID. Even if they decide to create one, the account will be terminated quickly as they publish these scam apps on it.
NB: Typically, these scam applications come in the form of game applications. This means they create casino, arcade, simulation games and inject virus codes into them because game apps are the ones most people download on the Play Store for entertainment. They use this as their strategy. Currently, they use casino, arcade, simulation games as their scam app, but they may change that in the future. Due to the strict policies on the Play Store, they can't create new Play Store console accounts easily. Creating a Play Store console account is challenging these days due to the extensive information required, such as your ID and location ID. Even if they decide to create one, the account will be terminated quickly as they publish these scam apps on it.
As a reader, the question might be: What solution do they have to this case?
The answer is that they have found another way to publish their scam apps on the Play Store for a short period, like one month. Please note that their aim is not to create an app for people to use freely; no, it is not. Their aim is to steal from users. Therefore, if the app is removed from the Play Store, meaning the entire app and console terminated, and at least two or four users are still using the app, they are okay with it because they can still steal from them (two or four users). Please take note of that.
The problem here is as follows: They go around checking for individuals with a Play Store console account. Once identified, they initiate a conversation with you and present enticing offers. Some are willing to pay a higher amount for you to upload their app, while others offer a lower sum. For instance, they might propose amounts like $80, $40, $50, $20, or even as low as $10 to publish a single app on the Play Store.
Initially, my question was: Why not use the money offered, which is sometimes more than the console price, to purchase or create a new one? Their consistent response to this query is, "We want to share our app on the Play Store early; we can't wait." With this justification, you might not probe further, as you're already content with the offered payment for app publishing.
It's important to note that virus app scanner websites are unable to detect or flag these scam apps as viruses or malware. These websites provide outputs indicating everything is in order but also mention that there are certain code parts of the app that couldn't be scanned. Despite this, you might overlook it because the virus detection output is zero. However, what you may not consider is where the website mentions "there are some code parts that could not be scanned" — that's where they inject the hidden virus codes. These hidden viruses are not visible on the surface unless you have access to the source code.
Even after conducting thorough research and scanning the app, these scam apps may appear clean and harmless. Subsequently, you publish the application, which may take varying durations — ranging from months to days or the same day the app was submitted to the Play Store, depending on the strength of your console. Eventually, your console will be terminated or banned permanently.
I recently learned that my friend's Play Store console account was terminated due to such a scam app, and the scammer refused to refund the console fee funds. These scam apps may originate from different countries, such as Nigeria, Pakistani etc but the one that led to my friend's console termination was from Africa — a Nigerian individual. This person blocked my friend on both WhatsApp and Facebook after terminating his console with the scam app.
You may asked where they message you about these scam apps to publish for them. It happens across various social media platforms, including Gmail, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and others. In my friend's case, the approach was from Facebook to WhatsApp.
Google Playstore Console Termination Message :
Hi Developers at Mine Inc,
After a recent review, Lucky Chips (com.miga.myvacatio) has been removed from Google Play.
After a recent review, Lucky Chips (com.miga.myvacatio) has been removed from Google Play.
Publishing Status
Publishing status: Suspended
Your app has been suspended and removed due to a policy violation.
Reasons of violation
Eligibility Issue by versions
Version(s) Eligibility Issue
App Bundle:1 Malware, Mobile Unwanted Software & Behavior Transparency.
Your app is not compliant with the Deceptive Behaviour policy. We expect app functionality to be reasonably clear to users, and we’ve determined your app includes hidden, dormant or undocumented features.
Additionally we’ve identified your app falls into one or both of the two categories below:
Your app contains code that could put a user, a user’s data, or a device at risk, and/or
Your app does not deliver on the promises made to the user.
For more information, please review the Malware, Mobile Unwanted Software policies and the “Behaviour Transparency” section of the Deceptive Behaviour policy.
This is a notification that your Google Play Developer account has been terminated.
Reason for termination: Violations of the Developer Program Policies and Developer Distribution Agreement. As explained in our Enforcement Process, repeated or serious violations of our policies may result in the termination of your Google Play Developer account and related Google Play Developer accounts.
You can visit the Developer Policy Center to better understand how we enforce Developer Program Policies. If you’ve reviewed the policy and feel this termination may have been in error, please reach out to our policy support team.
Please do not attempt to register a new developer account. We will not be restoring your account at this time.
The Scammer And The Scam App Details:
1. Phone & WhatsApp Number: +2349134242950 (Nigerian Number)
2. Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084454471303 (After he notice we expose him then deleted his account)
3. The application details:
3. App Info :
App Title: Lucky Chips
Policy Link: http://edtrhedt.sbs/luckychips/policy
Email: Shaabaahmmed001@gmail.com
Under App Access:
- All functionality is available without special access
Ads:
- Yes, my app does contain ads
Content Rating:
- Game : No for all answers
- Target audience and content: 18 and over
- Could your store listing unintentionally appeal to children? No
- News apps: No
- COVID-19 contact tracing and status apps
My app is not a publicly available COVID-19 contact tracing or status app
Data Safety:
Store Listing:
- App category : Game
- Does your app use advertising ID? YES
- Advertising and marketing
Short description: Lucky Chips is an exciting game that revolves around a wheel and score points!
Full description: Players test their luck by using the wheel of fortune, aiming to land on high-value sections to maximize their points. With each use, the anticipation builds as they strive to achieve the highest possible score. The game combines elements of chance and strategy, creating a thrilling experience for players looking to test their luck and see if they can hit the jackpot on the Lucky Chips wheel.
App link (If still working): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pXx1NKlq4Ov7n4hyPMwnFE4I8LP8GkIn/view?usp=drivesdk
NB: Do not deal with him; otherwise, he will scam you too. However, you can use these details to share with others to make them aware of him.
Lessons:
1. Do not allow yourself to publish applications for any stranger, even if they offer you a high amount of money. With the Play Store console, you can earn more legitimately.
2. Stay away from people who want to upload their apps on the Play Store without having an account.
3. Do not, I repeat, do not give any person permission to upload their app on your behalf on your account. They may upload scam apps to your console without your verification or knowledge, leading to the termination of your console.
Purpose:
1. To make Google PlayStore a better place for everyone.
2. To not gaming the playstore system and avoid account loss.
Thanks for reading this article.
tags :
Scammers