Gujarat police block 419 Chinese loan apps

The offers to avail of quick microloans by downloading an app and filling up just one online form would be highly tempting. Don't fall into this trap.

Most of these apps have been set up by Chinese scammers who use the programme to get into their client's phone, steal their personal data and use it to extort money.

In the past year, Gujarat police have identified 885 such apps and got 419 removed from a known android market.

The police identified these apps based on 932 complaints filed with the cybercrime helpline 1930 since March 2022.

A close look reveals Chinese and Nepalese makers set up these apps and host them on servers in China or Hong Kong, say police.

The cybercrooks send messages to people, asking them to download the mobile apps if they want to avail of microloans.

The mobile user must consent to give the app access to their contacts, images, videos and all other digital content on their phone to receive loan approval, say police.

These apps gained popularity in late 2021 when people faced salary cuts or lost jobs during the Covid pandemic and desperately needed money.

The app often allows cyber fraudsters to trap the target’s friends and family in a web of blackmail, extortion, and abuse.