Google has removed 22 applications from its Android Market after they were discovered to contain fraudulent software. Apps posing as popular third-party software such as Angry Birds tricked users into sending premium text messages. Unlike some other app services, Android Market apps are not vetted prior to being added to the store. Google has said it swiftly removes apps that violate its security policies. Lookout, a mobile security company based in San Francisco, believes the fraud attempt originated from Russia. After notifying Google of the 22 affected apps, Lookout said it then identified five more apps running the “RuFraud” scam. The scam would make a user believe they were about to download a game or program, but instead they were giving the phone “permission” to send a text message costing about £3. Google confirmed that the additional apps have now been removed. Lookout believes that there have been at least 14,000 downloads of apps containing RuFraud. The company said attacks of this nature have risen in the past few months. Google has come under fire in the past for not doing enough to remove substandard or dangerous apps posing as popular software.
