Dubai, UAE- Empello, the leader in anti-fraud solutions for value-added services (VAS) in the telecom sector, is cautioning Android users in the UAE on the increase in the number of mobile scams and unwanted subscriptions on mobile phones.

Empello recently detected three apps with malware embedded that subscribe the phone users to costly VAS services – Ladder Wallpaper (com.tiezi.ladder.wallpapers), Boom Wallpaper (com.waurter.boomboom.wallp) and Graft Wallpaper (com.graft.allpaper). Users who downloaded these apps were automatically signed up to premium content without their prior consent or knowledge.

The apps, which have had more than 100,000 downloads, are taking advantage of Android vulnerabilities, allowing scammers to defraud users of over AED 1000 per year. They were on Google Play until October 2019 and remain available on independent app download sites.

“Despite tougher government regulation, bot-blocking technology and increased consumer awareness, unwanted purchases are still being discovered at a higher frequency in UAE than any other market.” said Jeremy Flynn, Co-Founder and Director, Empello Ltd and Empello LLC. “Our research shows how scammers have adapted their tactics to keep ahead of the roadblocks placed in front of them. Consumers are meant to be protected from unwanted subscriptions by a One Time Password (OTP) in the sign-up process, but the latest malware reads the OTP to complete the subscription. Consumers using UAE mobile networks were victims.”

 

Empello’s advice to all UAE citizens is first to check if they have downloaded one of these 3 apps. To reduce the risk of getting an infected app, only download apps from Google Play store. This is not a totally safe store, so read the reviews before downloading, and never complete the installation of an app that seeks permission to read or write SMS,

“UAE has the highest percentage of smartphone penetration in the world, with 8.75 million mobile internet users.[1] With safe public and fair judiciary reported as one of UAE’s national priorities for 2021, it is becoming increasingly important for operators in both the private and public sectors to act on this now. At Empello, we are committed to working with organisations in this sector to support UAE’s government efforts to build a safe digital community in the UAE,” added Flynn.

Empello understands VAS fraud and can provide the most comprehensive protection possible. The organisation has operated a threat detection monitoring network since 2012, which is now the largest of its kind worldwide. Empello uses its network to test constantly for unauthorised payments, and then update its fraud-blocking technology to stop the latest attacks.

For more information, or if you are affected by this recent mobile scam, please contact Empello team on https://www.empello.com/contact/ 

  • -Ends-

About Empello:

Empello is an independent company with offices in UAE, UK and Brazil. Empello is the market-leading provider of Anti-Fraud, Fraud monitoring, Fraud defence as well as Analysis & Testing for the Mobile Payments (VAS) sector. We enable our clients to:

find fraudulent marketing and fraudulent payments across all channels in Web, App and Social

  • actively defend against and stop attempts at fraudulent charging, transactions and subscriptions
  • ensure VAS, DCB and SMS services are working correctly in the local environment
  • understand fraud and marketing trends across the industry, and at the level of mobile operators, merchants, ad networks and ad channels
  • reduce customer complaints and regulatory risk

[1] Source: Global media insight

© Press Release 2019

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.