Download apps on Android, even from the official Google Play Store, may seem like a safe course of action for most users. However, the reality is that Google's review and filtering system, while advanced, is not completely infallible against the growing sophistication of cybercriminals. New ones appear every year. fraudulent apps capable of bypassing controls and infiltrating millions of devices. These types of threats pose serious risks to the privacy, data integrity, and financial security of Android users.
In this specialized article, you'll learn everything you need to recognize, prevent, and remove fraudulent Android apps. We include a updated and detailed list of threats, the methods scammers use to camouflage themselves, symptoms that reveal a possible infection, practical steps for its elimination and advice from mobile security experts. Take advantage of information gathered from leading industry sources and recommendations from cybersecurity observatories to become a truly protected user against digital fraud, spyware, Trojans, ransomware, and all types of malware.
The growth and mutation of malicious apps on Android
The Android ecosystem It's a favorite target for cybercriminals due to its market share and its open structure, which allows for the installation of apps from numerous sources. Infiltration techniques are reinvented every year, making it more difficult to detect dangerous apps, even for experienced users. Among the most common actions of these apps are:
- Theft of personal and financial information: contacts, messages, photos, bank accounts and login credentials.
- Invasive ads and advertising scams: They generate revenue for the attackers and slow down the device's operation.
- Hidden subscription to premium services: The user pays fees without being aware of it or authorizing it.
- Advanced espionage: location monitoring, audio and video recording, and keystroke logging.
- Full device control: Some apps can even lock the device or encrypt it to demand a ransom.
The entry routes and methods for evading Google Play controls have evolved, and include:
- Clone apps that mimic the appearance and name of popular and legitimate applications.
- Versioning strategy: Apps that remain free of malicious code for weeks or months until they get enough downloads, and then update to introduce malware.
- Large-scale misleading advertising campaigns: They are promoted on social networks, videos, websites, and forums with links that lead to downloading fraudulent apps, even in official stores.
- Phishing via SMS, email, or push notifications: Messages impersonating known entities and asking you to download urgent “solutions.”
Cybercriminal groups have organized such robust international networks that some apps, before being detected, achieve millions of installations and steal data in dozens of countries.
Updated list: Fraudulent apps you should remove immediately from your Android
We have gathered the most current and extensive reference of apps identified by cybersecurity agencies such as ESET, McAfee, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, and specialized portals. Keep in mind that many of these apps can disguise themselves under new names or icons after being removed, so it's essential to regularly review lists and trusted sources.
Fake VPNs and Security Tools
- LiteVPN
- Byte Blade VPN
- Fast Fly VPN
- Fast Fox VPN
- Okay VPN
- Quick Flow VPN
- Turbo Track VPN
- VPN Ultra
- Turbo Tunnel VPN
- Yellow Flash VPN
- Run VPN
- Fast Line VPN
- Sample VPN
- Dangerous VPN Apps You Should Remove
- Secure Thunder
- Shine Secure
- Speed Surf
- Swift Shield
- Blaze Stride
Fraudulent financial apps and shell loans (SpyLoan)
- AA Credit
- Love Cash
- Easy Credit
- cashwow
- GuavaCash
- CrediBus
- LoansCredit
- FlashLoan
- Go Credit
- Credit Loans-Yumicash
- Large Wallet
- Instant Loan
- Rapid Credit
- 4S Cash
- TrueNaira
- Finupp Lending
- Easy Cash
- Loan apps with SpyLoan-type malware
- KreditKu-Uang Online
- RupiahKilat-Dana cair
- YoohooTalk
- Hello chaNido
- Money Manager Expense & Budget
Other apps identified as potentially dangerous or malicious
- Animas Keyboard
- Dangerous apps and viruses on Android
- CaptainDroid Feeds
- Free Old Classic Movies
- Phone Comparison
- Funny Char Ging Animation
- Slime Edges
- Phone App Launcher
Apps with Trojans and backdoors (Xamalicious, Chameleon, Joker, and others)
- Essential Horoscope for Android
- 3D Skin Editor for PE Minecraft
- Logo Maker Pro
- Auto Click Repeater
- Count Easy Calorie Calculator
- Sound Volume Extender
- LetterLink
- Numerology: Personal Horoscope & Number Predictions
- Step Keeper: Easy Pedometer
- Track Your Sleep
- Sound Volume Booster
- Astrological Navigator: Daily Horoscope & Tarot
- Universal Calculator
Keep alert: These apps may also appear with modified names or as clones. If you have any doubts, always check updated lists on reference portals and official cybersecurity accounts.
Why are these apps so dangerous? Most request excessive permits: access to the microphone, camera, contacts, location, SMS, phone management, or even reading call logs. Fraudulent loan apps may require a photograph, ID scans, and bank credentials. Once collected, this data is sold on the dark web, used for blackmail, identity theft, or bank fraud. Furthermore, uninstalling the app doesn't always eliminate the threat: traces or active permissions may persist.
How do fraudulent apps sneak into Google Play and other stores?
- Versioning or malicious updating: The developer publishes a legitimate app, which, after gaining downloads and trust, introduces malware via an update.
- Cloning popular apps: Name, design and icon are copied to create confusion.
- Deceptive advertising campaigns: Ads on social media, search engines, and blogs redirect to downloads, even in official stores.
- Phishing and personalized messages: SMS, push notifications, or emails pretending to be trusted entities to force the download.
- Accessibility and administration permissions: They are requesting advanced system controls to make it difficult to remove them.
Users often accidentally open the door to malware by downloading apps from unverified sources, bypassing security warnings, or granting permissions without question.
Particularly dangerous types of Android apps: categories to avoid or scrutinize
In addition to the specific apps identified by experts, some categories stand out for their high risk index:
- Apps that promise to optimize, speed up, or free up space: They often only delete temporary files and display aggressive advertising or install malware.
- Third-party clients for social networks and messaging: If they are not official or open source, they can steal credentials and messages.
- Generic or unknown antivirus: Some free antivirus programs for Android are a threat in themselves.
- Apps requesting inconsistent permissions: A flashlight or calculator that asks for access to contacts, camera, or SMS is suspicious.
- Clones, apps with generic names or poorly-designed icons: They often hide malicious intentions.
- Financial apps and quick loans: The recently appeared ones are fertile ground for SpyLoan type malware.
The best filter will always be to check your reputation, reviews, permissions, and make sure you only install apps from recognized and verifiable developers.
Clear signs that an app may be fraudulent
- Disproportionate permissions: A basic app should never ask for access to calls, SMS, the camera, the microphone, or banking information. Always review this list before installing.
- Negative comments or complaints from other users: Look for reviews that warn about extra charges, excessive ads, slowness, errors, or any abnormal behavior.
- Developers without a website, support, or clear public information: Total opacity is often synonymous with fraud.
- Frequent and unjustified updates: They can try to evade security controls and inject malicious code at the right time.
- Multiplicity of identical clones: The same developer launches similar apps to bypass blocks and blacklists.
- Poor translations and unprofessional design: Grammatical errors, poor menus or pixelated icons are very common in fraudulent developments.
Other warning signs, according to experts and organizations such as Kaspersky and Avast, include:
- Low number of downloads compared to the apparent popularity of the app
- Abnormal frequency of updates, especially without clear improvements or bug fixes
- Appearance of apps in alternative stores, forums, or via links in SMS or WhatsApp
- Promises of miraculous features, prizes, or rewards for downloading or installing the app
How to identify if your Android phone is infected with fraudulent apps
Detecting malware or spyware on Android can be tricky, as many apps are designed to remain hidden. Common signs include:
- General slowness and instability: the system crashes, certain apps take a long time to open, or close unexpectedly.
- Excessive battery and data consumption: Constant background activity of malware quickly drains resources.
- Abnormal heating of the device: Hidden processes can cause your phone to be permanently hot.
- New apps or settings not recognized: apps installed without your consent, changes to startup settings, or repeated pop-up screens.
- Unsolicited ads and pop-ups: Constant presence of unwanted advertising may indicate adware or spyware.
- Difficulty uninstalling suspicious apps: If an app cannot be removed or appears inactive but persists, it may have acquired administrative permissions.
- Redirects to unknown or untrustworthy websites: when you browse from your mobile.
- Noise or unusual interference during calls: Some spyware can record audio in the background.
- Unexpected billing or extra charges: in premium services, SMS or calls that you have not made.
If you detect one or more of these signs, it's very likely that one or more fraudulent apps are operating on your phone.
Step-by-step guide: How to remove fraudulent apps and restore your Android's security
- Uninstall the suspicious application From Settings > Apps > Select the app > Uninstall. Don't do this from the desktop if possible, as many rogue apps hide or block shortcuts.
- Reboot your phone in safe mode: Press and hold the power button and select "Restart in safe mode" (on most devices, check the instructions for your model if it doesn't appear). This will prevent malicious apps from running and help you know if the problem persists.
- Clear cache and temporary files from apps and browser from Settings > Apps > > Storage > Clear cache.
- Check device administrator permissions: Settings > Security > Device administrators. Revoke any unnecessary privileges from suspicious apps so you can uninstall them.
- Perform a thorough antivirus scan using trusted solutions recommended by experts (). Run a full scan and remove all detected threats.
- Change all your passwords, especially Google and any bank or email accounts associated with the device.
- Activate XNUMX-Step Verification for your main accounts, especially those on Google, banks, or messaging apps.
- Check bank transactions, billing and subscriptions: Cancel any unauthorized charges and contact your bank if you suspect information theft.
- If the problem persists, perform a factory reset. after a clean backup from Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data.
Remember to back up only after removing the malware, as restoring an infected copy can restart the cycle.
Advanced Protection: Tips and tools to prevent dangerous apps and fraud
- Download apps only from Google Play or official stores: Although it is not an absolute guarantee, it minimizes risks.
- Activate Google Play Protect: Go to the Play Store, tap the user icon > Play Protect. Make sure scanning is active and turn on Enhanced Detection.
- Analyze the permissions at each facility: Manually check what data the app requests before installing.
- Always check reputation and real comments, don't rely solely on the average grade or downloads.
- Check your app permissions from time to time: Settings > Privacy > Special app access.
- Keep your system and applications always up to date: This way you will avoid known vulnerabilities.
- Do not install .apk apps from unverified sources, and if necessary, check signatures and consult security forums.
- Be wary of apps that are impossible to uninstall or that change settings without your permission.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi networks or always use a reputable VPN.
- Use strong, different passwords for each service, using password managers.
- If you receive suspicious links via email or SMS, do not open them or download any attachments.
There are additional apps and settings to monitor device behavior, such as accessibility permissions, apps with background activity, and unusual network connections. Some security suites offer proactive detection and defense against dangerous apps and URLs.
What should you do if you think you've been a victim of fraud or spying through an app?
- Act as soon as possible: The faster you remove the threat, the less data will be lost or damaged.
- Contact your bank or service provider if you detect unauthorized movements.
- Report the app as inappropriate on the Google Play Store from the app menu.
- Consider hard resetting your phone if symptoms do not go away. after applying the above methods.
- In cases of blackmail, harassment or identity theft, report it to the authorities or cybersecurity agencies. from your country.
How to protect your Android from spyware, stalkerware, and advanced malware
Spyware and its variant, stalkerware, represent other hidden threats that are difficult to identify and remove. These types of apps can be installed by strangers, jealous partners, or even coworkers with access to the device, to monitor conversations, location, habits, and all kinds of information.
- Slow performance for no apparent reason
- Abnormal data and battery consumption
- Changes in settings, new applications or unfamiliar icons
- Overheating even at rest
- Strange messages or noises during calls
To detect and clean advanced spyware:
- Reboot into safe mode and identifies suspicious apps not installed by you or the manufacturer.
- Check download files and hidden folders from the Files app. Immediately delete anything you don't recognize.
- Check device administrators and special permissions in Settings > Security > Device administration.
- Always perform a scan with a trusted antivirus, which usually detect spyware and stalkerware.
- If you can't remove the spyware by any means, perform a factory reset. And after cleaning, change all your important passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
If you are a victim of stalkerware and fear for your safety, do not tamper with your phone and contact help services or law enforcement.
Google Play Protect and built-in security features on Android
Android includes Google Play Protect by default, which automatically scans installed apps and warns against dangerous behavior, attempting to block known malware from running. To ensure maximum protection:
- Open Google Play Store and access your profile (upper right icon).
- Choose Play Protect and check that it is activated and scanning regularly.
- Enable the "Improve detection of harmful apps" option to participate in community analysis.
- If you install apps outside of Google Play, you'll receive additional warnings, and new threats may be reported directly to Google.
Google Play Protect can also reset permissions granted to apps you don't use to protect your privacy, and also send alerts about apps removed from the store for dangerous behavior.
Types of threats according to the nature of the fake or fraudulent apps
Dangerous apps on Android are not limited to just one type of threat:
- Advertising bots: Apps that display unwanted ads or constantly open pop-ups.
- Billing fraud: subscribe the user to premium paid services or generate unauthorized purchases.
- Botnets and DDoS attacks: turn the device into part of a cyberattack network.
- Advanced Phishing: They request the entry of personal banking or access data in order to steal them.
- Adware: They display ads excessively and persistently.
- Ransomware and device hijacking: They block the mobile phone or encrypt files to demand a ransom.
- Rooting and superuser privileges: They exploit security breaches to take complete control of the system.
- Hostile downloaders: install more harmful apps in the background.
- Spyware and Banking Trojans: They steal personal information, messages, locations, browsing history, and app data.
The best defense is to understand and distinguish these risks, as well as analyze each app before installing it, even if it comes from an official source.
Common mistakes that facilitate infection by fraudulent apps
- Download APK manually without checking the source: Many websites promise “premium” apps or free versions that are actually malware.
- Grant permissions without reading them: Users tend to authorize everything out of inertia.
- Do not update the operating system or installed apps: Older versions are the main target of attackers.
- Ignore Android or Play Protect security alerts and notifications
- Use weak passwords and repeat them across all services
- Do not activate two-step verification when available
- Leave the installation of apps from unknown sources enabled without need
- Neglecting to periodically check installed applications and their permissions
Prevention and good practices recommended by experts
- Think before you download something: Install only what you really need and from verifiable developers.
- Always read the reviews and comments in the store: A single complaint about charges, ads, or improper access is reason enough to discard the app.
- Always check the developer's official website: If it does not exist, it is cause for suspicion.
- Check the number of downloads and publication date: A popular app with few downloads or that is very recent may be fraudulent.
- Examine the icon and visual appearance: Pixelated or unprofessional icons reveal fraudulent apps.
- Familiarize yourself with the device's security features: Device management, permission control, safe mode, and Play Protect.
If you identify any fake or dangerous apps, remove them as soon as possible, restart your device, perform an antivirus scan, and Block annoying ads on your Android with an adblocker and report it to the corresponding app store.
Frequently asked questions about fraudulent apps and malware on Android
- Are all apps outside of Google Play dangerous? No, but the risk is much higher. Always check signatures, reviews, and official sources before installing a third-party APK.
- Are antivirus programs useful on Android? For users who don't check permissions or download apps outside the Play Store, they can be an additional layer of protection. However, you should only choose antiviruses with a proven reputation.
- What do I do if an app has acquired administrator permissions and I can't delete it? Go to Settings > Security > Device administrators and revoke the app's permissions before trying to delete it.
- Why do some legitimate apps ask for so many permissions? Some features may require advanced permissions, but if an app asks for more than is logical for its function, it's best to look for alternatives.
- What official services and apps can help me check the security of my APKs? Services like VirusTotal allow you to scan files before installing them, and Telegram has bots that help verify APKs.
