Delhi Police shows Google how Play Store may be ‘helping’ scammers in India – morningtidings

There’s a surge in KYC-related scams in India with telecom operators like Airtel, Vodafone India and even Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) warning mobile users to be careful about KYC messages and also advising users not to download remote access apps like TeamViewer QuickSupport, AnyDesk and others.
Now, the cybercrime division of Delhi Police has intervened to show how Google Play Store search results may be helping scammers to carry out KYC frauds across India. In a tweet, DCP Cybercrime showcased that searching for KYC on the Google Play store shows TeamViewer Quick Support as the first result. This is the same app that is being used to carry out KYC frauds in India.
“Dear Google India, Online frauds in the name of KYC verification are rampant. Fraudsters use Remote Access Apps to steal Card details, Netbanking details & OTP. Search using keyword ‘KYC’ on Google Play Store shows Team Viewer Quick Support as the 1st option. Such suggestions and prompts from Play Store aide the fraudsters in tricking gullible users. It may be one of the reasons why people are being conned into installing such App in the name of KYC updation. Kindly resolve this issue in public interest,” tweeted DCP Cybercrime from its official Twitter handle and also attached a video showcasing the issue.

As for the scam, mobile users are threatened to submit documents for eKYC verification by calling a certain number within 24 hours of the receipt of a KYC message to avoid discontinuation of services.
The fraudster, claiming to be from the customer care team, calls or sends an SMS regarding an incomplete KYC form. He/she requests the customer to install a Quick Support app from the Google Play store to allow him to help. As no such app exists, when the user tries to install it, he/she is redirected to TeamViewer Quick Support App. The TeamViewer Quick Support app allows the fraudster to remotely take over the device and accounts associated with the device. After that whatever the user sees on his or her mobile screen is also visible to the fraudster who then secretly takes screenshots of the online banking passwords.
Considering the rampant misuse of the TeamViewer app, the developers recently added face and fingerprint lock for smartphones to prevent unauthorised access. While TeamViewer is a well-known platform for IT professionals, it is considered as one of the most dangerous apps in India. The TeamViewer Remote Control app can now be locked behind biometric authentication, which prevents unauthorised access even if the mobile device is left unlocked.