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Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

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Re: Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

#11

Post by habeanf »

KomoD wrote: post #5

> does a scam app become the #1 organic search result (not promoted) in the app store It's possible that it's just because it was literally called "Bitcoin Wallet", an exact match for your search, or boosted by fake reviews, or it was actually an ad that you didn't notice. Though it shouldn't have gotten past review at all But I don't really understand why you'd blindly trust some random app? Also, would be interesti…

You're right, I shouldn't trust a random app. Also, it's pretty much my first serious foray into Apple land. I trusted Apple's search results. There are multiple apps, far more mature and backed by serious developers, that would also match the phrase "Bitcoin Wallet".

The question is why is the scam app the #1 organic search result? For a new app with such scammy reviews and questionable metadata I would expect it to be #30 in the list. For context, the app store reports the scam app as #85 in all finance apps.

Re: Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

#13

Post by habeanf »

echelon_musk wrote: post #9

Why did you have to transfer bitcoin? Surely you would just load your private key into the app unless I'm missing something.

Honestly, I got lazy, and that's on me. I was using the standard bitcoin wallet app on android. It did seem weird I can't restore the wallet I backed up in the android app, but the android app github doesn't point to an app store app, so I figured there just isn't and the android app's backup format is something detached.

Then I figured a legit apple app could generate a wallet and I could transfer the bitcoin between them. Which is what I did. The apple app indeed received it and promptly sent it off somewhere else. What's even crazier is that the apple app shows this info! You'd expect the scammer to hide the scam but I suppose it just made it easier to pass the app store inspection.

Re: Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

#14

Post by ilamont »

Promoted results in Google are loaded with scams. According to one recent report, 75% of brands are affected (https://searchengineland.com/google-search-ads-brands-fraud-...):

The researchers who conducted the report found that retail giants such as Amazon, American Airlines, Lego, Pizza Hut, and Samsung were all victims of identity fraud within Google Search Ads.

Here's a Google SERP for "Facebook" which shows Facebook as the URL, redirects to an Apple security scam: https://youtube.com/shorts/gTEuqXYAp58?si=lzFV9mfX31_8nzd1

Google even vouches for the advertiser:

https://twitter.com/leanmediaorg/status/1724467969344905534/...

Re: Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

#15

Post by habeanf »

blibble wrote: post #8

I don't think I've ever searched for something on the app store and not got a scam as the first result just tried it - my bank? I get crypto.com - train company app? knockoff app that charges extra fees - my broker? CFD gambling app - official government app for paying my tax? intuit product I dare to think how many people this lures in scammy ads plastered everywhere is what I'd expect from Google products not for t…

In hindsight, this is quite obvious. Coming from years of using Google Pixels I just got used to trusting the search results. I've never hit a fraudulent app when searching in the Play Store. I trusted apple that at least the top 5 results would be legit. EDIT: added the word 'top' at the end

Re: Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

#16

Post by habeanf »

ilamont wrote: post #14

Promoted results in Google are loaded with scams. According to one recent report, 75% of brands are affected ( https://searchengineland.com/google-search-ads-brands-fraud-... ): The researchers who conducted the report found that retail giants such as Amazon, American Airlines, Lego, Pizza Hut, and Samsung were all victims of identity fraud within Google Search Ads. Here's a Google SERP for "Facebook" which shows Fac…

It wasn't a promoted result, it's an organic search result, and it's still there!

Re: Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

#17

Post by RulerOf »

blibble wrote: post #8

I don't think I've ever searched for something on the app store and not got a scam as the first result just tried it - my bank? I get crypto.com - train company app? knockoff app that charges extra fees - my broker? CFD gambling app - official government app for paying my tax? intuit product I dare to think how many people this lures in scammy ads plastered everywhere is what I'd expect from Google products not for t…

This has been a very noticeable problem to me for some time.

I won't search the App Store anymore. I go to the web site for the app I want and get the App Store link that way.

I wish the App Store listings would specify the domain of the entity they come from in plain text, backed by a validation method similar to what we do for TLS certs.

Re: Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

#18

Post by habeanf »

fingerlocks wrote: post #7

No repro. Same search string gives me the Bitcoin.com and the Coinbase app at the top. Scrolled through several dozen wallet apps and the one in the Reddit link never surfaced.

I just took a screenshot of the app store about an hour ago: https://pasteboard.co/bZ7qQvAzYggy.png

Re: Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

#19

Post by fingerlocks »

habeanf wrote: post #18
fingerlocks wrote: post #7

No repro. Same search string gives me the Bitcoin.com and the Coinbase app at the top. Scrolled through several dozen wallet apps and the one in the Reddit link never surfaced.

I just took a screenshot of the app store about an hour ago: https://pasteboard.co/bZ7qQvAzYggy.png

Yeah, at the top because you already have it downloaded

Re: Scammed by the top result for 'Bitcoin wallet' in Apple App Store

#20

Post by echoangle »

blibble wrote: post #8

I don't think I've ever searched for something on the app store and not got a scam as the first result just tried it - my bank? I get crypto.com - train company app? knockoff app that charges extra fees - my broker? CFD gambling app - official government app for paying my tax? intuit product I dare to think how many people this lures in scammy ads plastered everywhere is what I'd expect from Google products not for t…

Can you share some search terms you tried? I never had this problem, but I’m also not in the US so it might be different here
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