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Verified By BOOM | 116

APK Scams: One Download Could Empty Your Bank Account

September 20, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Browser View | September 21, 2024 | Subscribe

Hello,

APK (Android Package Kit) files often masquerade as legitimate apps and can compromise personal data, install malware, or conduct financial scams. What are the common types of APK frauds you should know? Find out in this edition!

Update: Google has now added links from the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine to their "About this result" panel for any URL, to give people quick context and make this information easily accessible through Search.

In simple words: Archiving a URL means saving/preserving the details of the link before it’s deleted or edited. Basically, it’s a digitally available screenshot of any URL. Just that it’s more authentic since there is an archived link you can click on.

Here’s how the new Google update works:

Step 1: Click on the three dots next to a search result of any URL.
Step 2: In the window that appears on the right hand side, click on the "More about this page" button.

Step 3: Scroll down and look for the "See previous versions on Internet Archive's Wayback Machine" link.
Step 4: You will see the earlier archived version of the link.

Other ways of archiving: Use tools such as archive.is, wayback machine, ghostarchive. They are free and easily accessible.

Deepfake Watch, a weekly newsletter, is an initiative by Decode to keep you abreast of the latest developments in AI and its potential for misuse. Our goal is to foster an informed community capable of challenging digital deceptions and advocating for a transparent digital environment.

One Download Could Empty Your Bank Account: What Are APK Scams?

🔖 What is APK Fraud?: It involves the distribution of malicious files that mimic legitimate applications, deceiving users into installing software that can steal personal data or hijack their devices.

Modus operandi: Aprajita Sharma, a journalist from Delhi, while tracking a courier, turned to the India Post website for updates but found none. In search of a customer care number, she was directed to a fraudulent website via Google Search, which nearly led to her bank account credentials being compromised.

Out of desperation: "In my desperation, I asked him (customer care executive) to explain the whole process. The supposed executive sent me an APK file via WhatsApp and also connected over a WhatsApp video call for video KYC," she told Decode’s Hera Rizwan.

Expert’s take: According to Ashish Jha, co-founder of cybersecurity firm Bluefire Redteam, these files are often distributed via platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, or even through compromised Wi-Fi networks. They are commonly used for credential harvesting or data theft.

How to stay safe from rising APK frauds? Find out in this story.

Lessons From Bihar: Why It’s Difficult For Cops To Track Down Cybercriminals

🔖 Scam took away 4.4 crores: In July 2024, Dr Abhay Narayan Roy, an 80-year-old renowned physician from Gaya, a southern district in Bihar, found himself at the center of a nightmare that would cost him Rs. 4.4 crores. The retired government doctor, now running a large private hospital and serving as the president of the Bihar chapter of the Indian Medical Association, fell victim to a cyber scam so sophisticated it seemed almost inescapable.

Investigation so far: A month after the incident, investigators have only managed to freeze Rs. 61 lakhs of the stolen funds. The case's high-profile nature led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), but the investigation faces significant hurdles.

The gap: SN Kumar, a Patna High Court lawyer who represents victims in many cyber crime cases, told Decode’s Umesh Kumar Ray, "Bihar cyber police does not even have the basic technology to expose cyber crimes and that is why most of the cases are pending for a long time. Bihar police have to depend on the latest technology available in other states for investigating the case.”

How AI Images Fueled Pet-Eating Rumours About US Immigrants

🔖 AI-Generated Images Fuel Misinformation on Haitians and Pets

The rumour that Haitians were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, gained traction on social media and was amplified by Donald Trump during his presidential debate with Kamala Harris.
The issue gained further traction last week as prominent figures, including Elon Musk, shared AI-generated images of animals "pleading help".
The false claim started with a Facebook post by Springfield resident Erika Lee, who mentioned a neighbour's missing cat and speculated that Haitian neighbours were involved.

AI-generated images, often with racist undertones, were used to spread and reinforce the false narrative. Read Hera Rizwan’s explainer.

🚫 Fake News You Almost Fell For

🔍 A video went viral on social media, purportedly as a news segment presented by Aaj Tak anchor Shweta Singh on a betting app called Aviator, with Virat Kohli giving his testimony on how he earned money on the app. But, is it real? Find out in 🔗 Archis Chowdhury’s ↗️ fact-check.

🔍 Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reiterated a misleading claim that Bengaluru Police placed an idol of Lord Ganesha "behind bars,” falsely suggesting that Hindus were prohibited from celebrating Ganesh Utsav in Congress-ruled Karnataka. 🔗 Anmol Alphonso ↗️ debunked the claim.

🔍 Does this photo show doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi paying their last respects to the late Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury? Find out in 🔗 Srijit Das’ ↗️ fact-check.

🅱️ Recommends

📖 This week's recommendation is: It’s easy to find misinformation on social media. It’s even easier on X.

Read Here

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