This @AppStore app pretends to be a silly platformer game for children 4+, but if I set my VPN to Turkey and relaunch it becomes an online casino that doesn’t even use Apple’s IAP.
🤯
🤯
The developer uses shady ads to attract unsuspecting users, pretending the app was featured on CNN Turk.
Once people follow the ad, they are taken to this App Store page. Notice the abundance of coins and the “Install and win” copy.
In order to pass App Review the app claims to be “a fun running game”, and in the US works like an extremely basic and very poorly designed kids game.
In order to pass App Review the app claims to be “a fun running game”, and in the US works like an extremely basic and very poorly designed kids game.
Since the app is free and the App Store is “a place you can trust” according to Apple, most people at this point will just go ahead and download it. What is there to lose?
But since the scammers are not using Apple’s IAP, and an online casino could just be a website, why are they even going through the App Store?
To take advantage of people’s misplaced trust due to Apple’s “Security! Privacy!” marketing.
In fact, this *is* just a web view!
To take advantage of people’s misplaced trust due to Apple’s “Security! Privacy!” marketing.
In fact, this *is* just a web view!
As an icing on the cake, people in the reviews say that they deposited large sums for the promise of a bonus, but they never received the promised payouts.
Surprising no one, the scammers aren’t even operating a fair casino.
Surprising no one, the scammers aren’t even operating a fair casino.
The scam has been on the App Store for a few months, and has even received a couple of updates. The same developer also has another app that does the same thing!
It’s impossible to know how much money these scammers have made from unsuspecting users, but such schemes make bank.
It’s impossible to know how much money these scammers have made from unsuspecting users, but such schemes make bank.
As part of their ongoing legal battle with Epic, Apple recently told the court: “Apple conducts a robust app review before apps are published.”
They’ve been telling lawmakers like @amyklobuchar the same thing again and again.
Only now, the truth is coming out. And it’s ugly.
They’ve been telling lawmakers like @amyklobuchar the same thing again and again.
Only now, the truth is coming out. And it’s ugly.
So why does Apple allow this to happen, while engaging in security theater?
“The answer turns out to be as simple as it is depressing: Apple's App Store was never designed to work. At least not in the way the company purports that it does.”
world.hey.com/dhh/the-app-st…
“The answer turns out to be as simple as it is depressing: Apple's App Store was never designed to work. At least not in the way the company purports that it does.”
world.hey.com/dhh/the-app-st…
The scam: apps.apple.com/us/app/id15467…
For more scams, follow me and send me your tips at bunco.squad@hey.com
See you next time! ✌️
See you next time! ✌️
Support the discussion on Hacker News: news.ycombinator.com/item?id=268242…
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