Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

15 Apps Drain Bank Accounts, Millions of Indonesians Have Downloaded Them

| Source: CNBC Translated from Indonesian | Technology
15 Apps Drain Bank Accounts, Millions of Indonesians Have Downloaded Them
Image: CNBC

In the current era of digitalisation, users are urged to exercise greater caution when using mobile applications. This follows the discovery of 15 dangerous applications on the Google Play Store that are capable of stealing users’ personal data and financial information. Despite the significant security risks, these applications are reported to have been downloaded millions of times.

According to a report from McAfee, these applications have been installed a total of 8 million times. Most of the identified apps are fraudulent online lending services, known as ‘Spy Loans’. Out of the 15 dangerous applications, three are available to users in Indonesia. Collectively, these apps have been installed by approximately 2 million domestic users.

McAfee notes that all these malicious applications utilise names, logos, and designs that mimic official financial services. Furthermore, scammers promote these apps through fraudulent advertisements on social media. These Spy Loan apps allow criminals to easily access and steal personal data, with the ultimate goal of draining victims’ bank accounts.

These fake lending apps lure potential victims by promoting low interest rates and easy requirements. Upon downloading the app, users are prompted to provide personal and financial details. Cybercriminals then use this personal data to terrorise victims, demanding loan repayments with exorbitant interest rates that eventually become impossible to pay. This particular scam targets victims across three regions: South America, South Asia, and Africa.

The following is the list of 15 dangerous applications identified, as reported by Tom’s Guide:

  • Préstamo Seguro-Rápido, Seguro (1 million downloads)

  • Préstamo Rápido-Credit Easy (1 million downloads)

  • Get Baht Easily - Quick Loan (1 million downloads)

  • RupiahKilat-Dana cair (1 million downloads)

  • Borrow Happil - Loan (1 million downloads)

  • Happy Money (1 million downloads)

  • KreditKu - Uang Online (500,000 downloads)

  • Dana Kilat - Pinjaman Kecil (500,000 downloads)

  • Cash Loan-Vay tiền (500,000 downloads)

  • RapidFinance (100,000 downloads)

  • PrêtPourVous (100,000 downloads)

  • Huayna Money - Préstamo Rápido (100,000 downloads)

  • IPréstamos: Rápido Crédito (100,000 downloads)

  • ConseguirSol-Dinero Rápido (100,000 downloads)

  • ÉcoPrêt Prêt En Ligne (100,000 downloads)

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