A Canada-based cyber security company earlier today claimed that Russian mobile app company was responsible for the million dollar fraud obtained through online advertisement. This prompted Google to remove over 200 apps from their Play Store as they suspected these loaded an "invisible" ad in the background, generating around $250,000 revenue per day.
On Monday, researchers from Sentrant discovered the scam and claimed that Academ Media was responsible for the mass fraud. The advertising security firm alleged that Academ Media was using the Twitter-owned advertising marketplace known as MoPub to infect over 200 apps. The firm alleged that the Russian mobile app company was using a sophisticated fraud method, reports by Financial Times.
According to Sentrant, they discovered that over 200 apps on the Google Play Store have been affected and are being used in the fraud. Once an app has been installed successfully on a device, it would start to download advertisements which were invisible to the consumers. The firm claimed that through these invisible ads, Academ Media was able to earn as much as $250,000 a day from companies who were paying for amount of views by consumers. Even though no one has actually seen these advertisements, the Russian mobile app company was able to generate as much funds.
Despite all the allegations thrown their way, Academ Media has denied these claims. Moreover, they claim that last year, they had a problem with a hacker who was able to steal data which was later used for fraud. They claim that the hacker was able to transform their mobile apps into fraudulent ones. According to iDigitalTimes, Academe Media believes the hacker was from China. The hack was detected last March 13, 2015.
On Google's part, they have decided to remove apps from Academ Media from their Play Store. The International Business Times UK confirmed this resolve from Google to help ensure the safety of its users. Sentrant, however, reminds users that if an infected app has been installed onto a device, users will have to manually remove the app.
