SpyLoan Apps Installed on Over 8 Million Android Phones Amidst Rise in Predatory Loan Apps

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SpyLoan Apps Installed on Over 8 Million Android Phones Amidst Rise in Predatory Loan Apps

Predatory loan apps can bring a lot of trouble for unsuspecting users, and malicious actors continue to release new malware versions, despite efforts taken by platforms like

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to clamp down on these nefarious apps. A security firm has now detected 15 apps that are infected by ‘SpyLoan’, a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that has continued to grow since 2020.

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has suspended some of the affected apps, but users who have already downloaded them on their handsets will have to perform a manual uninstall.

Fifteen SpyLoan Apps Found Installed on Android Phones

McAfee’s mobile research team

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15 SpyLoan apps on the Play Store — these are a form of nefarious predatory loan apps that affect Android smartphones. These apps were installed on over 8 million Android devices, according to the security firm. Some of these apps were either suspended or updated after the report was published.

Some of the SpyLoan apps detected on the Play Store
Photo Credit: McAfee

 

These SpyLoan apps typically request several permissions once they are installed on a user’s smartphone and begin to collect vast amounts of personal information. This data is encrypted before it is exfiltrated to a command-and-control server. These apps also share a common framework and code, and they present a similar user flow — including asking for a one-time password (OTP) — according to the firm.

Despite using logos that and names that mimic reputable apps, these SpyLoan apps reportedly managed to bypass the checks performed by

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before it allows apps on the Play Store. They also lure users with the promise of quick and easy loans, while using a countdown timer to push them to sign up. 

Several one-star reviews of some of these apps on the Play Store contain complaints from users who have received threatening calls and messages from recovery agents. Some of these users also allege that they were threatened with modified images stolen from their devices.

Users are prompted to act quickly using fake countdowns
Photo Credit: McAfee

 

According to McAfee, India leads the list of countries that had the highest prevalence of fake loan apps in Q3 2024. The other countries, in order, are Mexico, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Kenya, Colombia, Vietnam, Chile, and Nigeria.

It’s worth noting that the RBI and the Finance Ministry have taken action against several apps in India over the past couple of years. However, McAfee’s mobile research team states that the number of these apps continues to increase despite efforts from government agencies.

Users can check their smartphones for any of the apps listed below. If these apps are still installed, they must be manually removed from the handset in order to cut off access to their personal information. Users should also limit themselves to installing well known apps on their devices, to minimise the risk posed by these applications.

App Name	Package	Downloads	Country
Préstamo Seguro-Rápido, seguro	com.prestamoseguro.ss	1M	Mexico
Préstamo Rápido-Credit Easy	com.voscp.rapido	1M	Colombia
ได้บาทง่ายๆ-สินเชื่อด่วน	com.uang.belanja	1M	Senegal
RupiahKilat-Dana cair	com.rupiahkilat.best	1M	Senegal
ยืมอย่างมีความสุข – เงินกู้	com.gotoloan.cash	1M	Thailand
เงินมีความสุข – สินเชื่อด่วน	com.hm.happy.money	1M	Thailand
KreditKu-Uang Online	com.kreditku.kuindo	500K	Indonesia
Dana Kilat-Pinjaman kecil	com.winner.rupiahcl	500K	Indonesia
Cash Loan-Vay tiền	com.vay.cashloan.cash	100K	Vietnam
RapidFinance	com.restrict.bright.cowboy	100K	Tanzania
PrêtPourVous	com.credit.orange.enespeces.mtn.ouest.wave.argent.tresor.payer.pret	100K	Senegal
Huayna Money – Préstamo Rápido	com.huaynamoney.prestamos.creditos.peru.loan.credit	100K	Peru
IPréstamos: Rápido Crédito	com.credito.iprestamos.dinero.en.linea.chile	100K	Chile
ConseguirSol-Dinero Rápido	com.conseguir.sol.pe	100K	Peru
ÉcoPrêt Prêt En Ligne	com.pret.loan.ligne.personnel	50K	Thailand

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