Despite Crackdown, Fake Ethereum App Scams Google Play Users

A copycat Ethereum application on Google Play came under scrutiny earlier this week-scamming users under the pretext of selling them 1 ether, without selling any actual ether.

The ambitious scam tricked users into buying absolutely nothing for $100 more than actual ether.

Buying Ethereum app is not the same as buying #Ethereum.

Interestingly, the application was offered by a fake company called "Google Commerce," which signifies the attackers took elaborate steps to cover their tracks and get the fraudulent app listed.

CryptoSlate tried to search for the application on Google Play, but it appears to have been taken down after alarms were raised on several online communities.

Google continues to protect its users against malicious applications, including fake crypto-mining platforms and wallets, after a suite of such fakes appeared following the rise of the digital asset market.

In July 2018, Google announced it would ban all crypto-mining applications on its market platform in a bid to create a fraud-free environment for its users.

Despite the stern warning, crypto-observers found several applications, and even cryptocurrencies, listed on Google Play, generating substantial traction from unsuspecting users.

JSECoin, a new payments-focussed cryptocurrency, made it to Google Play recently, regardless of Google's internally-issued, 30-day window to all developers for complying with their regulations.

Perhaps the use of a savvy smart contract could help Google from mitigating such threats on their platform.