14 DAY TRIAL // Google Play is filled with all sorts of applications, but as we’ve seen on numerous occasions, some of them perform other tasks than the ones for which they’re advertised. A perfect example is an app called Call Cheater Lite.
According to its description, the program blocks unwanted phone calls, playing an arbitrary sound or message to the caller.
However, after analyzing it, Symantec researchers have found that it isn’t as harmless as it sounds. As soon as it’s installed, Call Cheater Lite sends its creators information collected from the device, including IMEI, MEID, ENS, phone number, email address and apparatus details.
Furthermore, at some point users are asked to purchase the full version of the app. If they refuse, they’re asked to name the reasons for which they don’t like the app.
At this point, an SMS message is sent to a number from India, adding the cost of an internationally sent SMS (for users outside of India) to the victim’s bill.
Google has been notified of the app’s evildoings and has removed it from Google Play, and Symantec has made sure that its solutions detect it as a threat.