#internet fraud

Meta is earning a fortune on a deluge of fraudulent ads, documents show - https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortune-deluge-fraudulent-ads-documents-show-2025-11-06/

I thought this one would be just another developer of mobile game that use The Sims 4 contents in its (fake) ads to fraud users by making people belive it is its game, when it has a completely different gameplay.

Unfortunately, Room Makover by FlyBird Casual Games is much more than this.

Room Makover has plenty of false ads. This time I actually tried the game, because the pictures and videos on Google Play were cute and I decided to give it a try.

I was so naive. Happens that the whole page on Google Play is full of fake contents.

It's just one of those mobile games in which you have to match and remove nails. Every time you pass a level, you will rewarded with bills that you can use to unlock part of a building under "makeover". You have just three option for every part of the building or the room to choose between.

There is nothing creative. Not actual building or cluttering rooms or decoring.

As, always, since I'm a curious little bitch, I decided to dig further into this FlyBird Casual Game and... Oh. God. Their site looks even less legit than LUCKY FORTUNE GAMES' one!

It is just a void page. There is nothing here. NOTHING. The only two working section are the privacy and conditions of use, in which they try to convince you that they didn't have any liability for damages or fraud committed.

The privacy one is curious, because mentions this Commissioner's Office in UK and a long list of partners. Both for ads and for data collection, which is hugely uncommon for this kind of games.

Sooooo... In this magical list of apps, I noticed a few tech nightmares, which I will explain briefly here:

Aarki is an AI company that builds advertising solutions to drive mobile revenue growth. Traslated from bullshit: they use AI to generate fake ads and sells it to shady corps.

Blind Ferret is the big deal here! Not only gave you digital marketing solutions, data collection and analytics, but also pays influencers and product placement on social media to promote the game and, hear me out, CREATE fake ads too! It's literally written in their site: "Our Creative Services don’t just make things look pretty. Our team uses data to guide us! How do we make brands shine? By turning the arts into a numbers game with top-performing creative content." This include: Graphic Design, Illustration, 2D Animation, Video Editing and Composition, Copywriting and conceptualizing.

InMobi is a big Corp that does native advertising, which means promoted contents, collabs with influencers, etc.

Ironsource. This one is a fucking cancer. IronSource Ltd. is an Israeli software company that focuses on developing technologies for app monetization and distribution, with its core production focused on the app economy. That would sound harmless, but Samsung use it in its budget and midrange smartphone to install multiple third-party apps during the set-up process. This platform slips bloatware on the pretext of recommended apps, leading to apps clutter and reduction in on-board storage space. The only purpose it exists on Samsung phones is to download games without your consent with no way to remove it (no app installed).

Mintegral is another fucking tech nightmare. Not only poses serious threats to your privacy and datas, but also uses malicious codes to spy your activity and when you seem intentioned to install a mobile app, Mintegral’s software would then fire off fake clicks on non-existent ads to claim credit for the install and essentially collect a bounty from app publishers who pay ad networks to promote their apps.

Mistplay is one of those "play to earn bucks" that I find very very dangerous. Because YOUR data are their revenue.

Tapjoy does monetization of ads and also surveys, that force users to download one from a long list of games, download it and playing for hours or since it is gained some in-game prize. This surveys are rewarded with credits and user can spend on the mobile game they actually want to play. Tapjoy has a huge market among IMVU users, who need credits to buy piece of clothing and accessories for their avi.

The other apps do mobile app marketing, using data collection that allow shady corps to target more gullable and naive people to scam. Plus they do also monetization surveys to earn money and at the same time forcefully grow the engagement of this shady corps.

Obviously, there is no user support mail listed in their Google Play page, but at least this has a contact mail listed on their website: [email protected]

As always, stay safe and please tell me if you know more about everything above or know the person who create this build first.

Help people to stay safe.

Thank you.

Screw Frenzy ASMR Home or Screw Frenzy ASMR by Digital Kingdom PTE.LTD. - Basically game developers stole this video from a YouTuber or Tiktoker who does speed build of The Sims 4 and used it for their ads, implying that THIS is what their game looks like. I'm really pissed.

One star as rate on Google Store isn't enough to shame this people. Pathetic.

Please, if you recognize the video and can tell me who is the oroginal creator, I would be glad. Feel free to report this to him/her/them. They need to know some shady Corp is using their content to scam and fraud people. This is both intellectual property right violation than false advertisement.

How online trading platform scams work

Investment scams using online trading platforms are often promoted online and via social media channels. Fraudsters typically promise high returns and use fake celebrity endorsements and images of luxury items to entice people to invest in their scams. The ads then link to professional-looking websites where consumers are persuaded to invest, either through a managed account where the firm makes trades on their behalf, or by trading themselves using the firm’s platform.

Most consumers report initially receiving some returns from the firm to give the impression that their trading has been a success. They will then be encouraged to invest more money or introduce a friend or family member to invest. However, eventually the returns stop, the customer’s account is suspended and there’s no further contact with the firm.

https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/get-help/real-life-stories/scam-victims-tell-us-their-stories/investment-scam-i-lost-50-000-in-fake-online-trading

The rapid growth of digital banking, UPI payments, online shopping, and mobile apps has made life easier for millions of Indians. However, it has also created new opportunities for cybercriminals. Every day, thousands of people lose money due to online frauds that target individuals through fake calls, SMS messages, social media, emails, and malicious websites. Understanding how these scams work is the first step toward protecting yourself and your finances.

What Are Online Frauds?

Online frauds are cybercrimes where scammers use digital platforms to steal money, personal information, banking credentials, or sensitive data. Fraudsters often pretend to be bank officials, government representatives, customer support agents, or trusted companies to gain a victim's confidence.

With increasing internet penetration and digital payments across India, online fraud has become one of the fastest-growing financial crimes.

Most Common Types of Online Frauds in India

1. OTP Scam

An OTP (One-Time Password) scam occurs when fraudsters convince victims to share the OTP received on their mobile phones. They may pretend to be from a bank, courier company, or customer support team. Once the OTP is shared, they can complete unauthorized transactions.

Prevention Tips:

Never share your OTP with anyone.

Banks never ask for OTPs over phone calls.

Ignore suspicious requests for verification codes.

2. UPI Payment Scam

UPI scams have become extremely common. Criminals may send fake payment requests or QR codes, claiming that scanning them will help you receive money. In reality, scanning certain QR codes or approving payment requests may authorize a payment from your account.

Stay Safe By:

Remember that receiving money never requires entering your UPI PIN.

Verify the sender before approving any payment request.

Use only official payment apps.

3. Phishing Scams

Phishing involves fake emails or SMS messages designed to steal login credentials or banking information. Victims are redirected to fake websites that closely resemble official banking portals.

Common phishing messages include:

KYC update required

Account suspended

Income tax refund

Electricity bill payment

Prize or lottery winner notifications

Always verify website URLs before entering sensitive information.

4. Fake Loan Apps

Illegal loan apps promise instant approvals with minimal documentation. After downloading these apps, users may unknowingly grant access to contacts, photos, and personal information.

Some fake lenders later:

Demand excessive repayment amounts.

Harass borrowers.

Threaten to leak personal data.

Use abusive recovery practices.

Always borrow only from RBI-regulated banks and NBFCs.

5. Job Offer Scam

Scammers advertise attractive work-from-home jobs with high salaries. Applicants are asked to pay registration fees, training charges, or security deposits.

Legitimate employers do not charge candidates for recruitment.

6. Investment and Trading Scam

Fraudsters promise guaranteed returns through fake cryptocurrency platforms, stock market tips, forex trading schemes, or investment apps.

Warning signs include:

Guaranteed profits

Zero-risk investments

Pressure to invest immediately

Referral-based earnings

Every genuine investment carries some level of risk.

7. Credit Card Fraud

Cybercriminals steal card information through fake websites, ATM skimming devices, or phishing attacks. Unauthorized purchases may occur before the victim notices.

Use virtual cards where available and enable transaction alerts.

8. SIM Swap Fraud

In SIM swap fraud, criminals obtain a duplicate SIM card linked to your mobile number. Once they control your number, they can intercept OTPs and access your banking accounts.

Immediately contact your telecom operator if your SIM suddenly stops working without reason.

9. Social Media Fraud

Fake profiles on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram often impersonate friends or family members asking for urgent financial help.

Always verify such requests through a phone call before transferring money.

10. Customer Care Scam

Fraudsters create fake customer care numbers for banks, airlines, e-commerce companies, and payment apps.

Victims calling these numbers are tricked into:

Sharing banking details

Installing remote access apps

Approving fraudulent transactions

Always use customer care numbers listed on official websites.

Common Warning Signs of Online Fraud

Many scams share similar patterns:

Urgent requests for immediate action

Offers that seem too good to be true

Requests for OTP, PIN, passwords, or CVV

Unknown links received through SMS or WhatsApp

Pressure to keep conversations confidential

Requests to install unknown applications

Promises of guaranteed profits or rewards

If something feels suspicious, verify it independently before taking any action.

How to Protect Yourself

Follow these simple cybersecurity practices:

Never share OTP, PIN, CVV, or passwords.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

Use strong, unique passwords.

Update your phone and apps regularly.

Download apps only from official app stores.

Avoid clicking suspicious links.

Verify website URLs before entering personal information.

Keep transaction alerts enabled.

Regularly monitor your bank statements.

Avoid using public Wi-Fi for financial transactions.

What Should You Do If You Become a Victim?

If you suspect online fraud:

Contact your bank immediately and block your account or card.

Change your passwords and UPI PIN.

Report the fraud on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Call the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) as quickly as possible.

Preserve screenshots, messages, and transaction details for investigation.

Quick reporting can significantly improve the chances of recovering lost funds.

The Importance of Cyber Awareness

Technology continues to evolve, and so do cybercriminals. Staying informed about the latest scams is one of the best ways to protect yourself. Financial awareness, cautious online behavior, and regular security checks can prevent most online frauds.

Whether you're using UPI, internet banking, online shopping platforms, or investment apps, always verify before you trust. A few extra moments of caution can save you from financial loss and identity theft.

Conclusion

A fiery statement from a Nigerian lady has ignited heated debate online, as she claimed that “Yahoo” — internet fraud — is among the country’s biggest problems. Her bold claim, shared on social media, has gone viral, prompting discussions about crime, ethics, and Nigeria’s global image. The Bold Explanation “Yahoo is one of Nigeria’s biggest problems. It destroys lives, ruins morals, and gives…

Defending Internet Fraud Charges in Texas Being accused of internet fraud in Texas isn’t just a financial headache—it’s a life-changing legal crisis. With the growing sophistication of law enforcement and cyber forensic tools, prosecutors are aggressively pursuing charges for online scams, digital impersonation, unauthorized transactions, and more. But just because you’ve been accused doesn’t…