google play store icon

Fake Google Play Store

Executive Summary

While malicious and fake apps in the Google Play Store is common, Shreshta Threat Intelligence team has detected multiple fake Google Play Store websites which impersonate the Google Play Store.

This gives an impression to the user, that they are visiting the Google Play Store. If the user clicks on the Install button, the phishing website prompts the user to save an APK file on the mobile device and install it via sideload1.

1Sideload is installing an application on a mobile device without using the device’s official application distribution method.

Technical analysis of fake Google Play Store phishing websites

Google Play Store Phishing website #1

Figure 1 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Lucky Rabbit

Phishing website #2

Figure 2 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Fortune Tiger

Phishing website #3

Figure 3 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Slots Tiger

Phishing website #4

Figure 4 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Fortune Tiger 136bet

Phishing website #5

Figure 5 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Fortune Tiger widlbet

Phishing website #6

Figure 6 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Fortune Games 888win

Phishing website #7

Figure 7 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Lucky Rabbit

Phishing website #8

Figure 8 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Lucky Rabbit

Phishing website #9

Figure 9 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Glimmer Teen Patti

Phishing website #10

Figure 10 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store
app Teen Patti Master

Phishing website #11

Figure 11 – Phishing website impersonating Google Play Store app Teen Patti Gold

Network Infrastructure Analysis

Figure 12 – Country-wise distribution of locations of the phishing websites 

Figure 13 – Autonomous System wise distribution of the locations of the phishing websites 

Safety Recommendations

  1. Configure Browse Safe DNS Servers on your devices to block phishing, malware, cryptojacking and other cyber threats.
  2. Download apps only from the official Google Play Store
  3. Any website which prompts downloading of an APK file should be treated as malicious
  4. If you become a victim of cybercrime, call the national (India) cybercrime helpline 1930 or file a complaint at https://cybercrime.gov.in/ 
  5. If you are an enterprise, protect your organisation in real-time from cyber threats such as phishing, malware, newly registered domain names and other malicious communication using Shreshta Protective DNS. Please email info@shreshtait.com for a free 30-day trial.

Conclusion

Our analysis of the fake Google Play Store websites shows that the threat actors use deception technique along with social engineering to lure users into installing fake and malicious apps.

Indicators of Compromise

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A few other threat intelligence blog posts that you might be interested in,

https://shreshtait.com/blog/2024/01/phishing-scam-aimed-at-flipper-zero-enthusiasts/
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