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One in 50 of App Store’s top-grossing apps are SCAMS that have fleeced iPhone users out of millions, experts warn

SCAM apps on the App Store have made almost $50million (£35.2million) from unsuspecting Apple users, according to a new investigation.

A study by The Washington Post claims 18 of the top 1,000 highest earnings apps on the App Store are scamming people.

Rex

The apps are said to have taken millions from victims[/caption]

The report is based on figures from market research company Appfigures.

It suggests $48million (£33.9million) has been taken from iOS users by scammers.

Apple would have also made money from this too as it takes up to 30% of the money generated by apps on its App Store.

The Washington Post found app creators were using fake reviews to try and convince users to pay for their scam creations.

AFP

Most of the apps have since been deleted[/caption]

It also said some customers were complaining about the apps giving their phone viruses.

Some even tried to charge them more for add on products.

Two thirds of the apps are said to have been removed from the App Store.

They’re all listed below.

It includes a $4.99 a week QR code scanner.

The highest grossing of the 18 is called ‘Guitar Turner Pro’ and apparently made $6million.

The 18 scam apps

The scam apps The Post identified…

  1. QR Code Reader
  2. Secure & Fast VPN Protector
  3. HabitBox
  4. Spy Block
  5. CyGuard
  6. MatureDating
  7. AdBlock for Safari VPN Browser
  8. Both Live
  9. Fun Chart Stickers
  10. QR Code Reader & QR Scanner
  11. Guitar Turner Pro
  12. iMetric Analyzer for Instagram
  13. Prime Shielder
  14. CooMeet
  15. Upcure
  16. uDates
  17. mSpy
  18. CyberSec VPN

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In other news, Apple is updating its new AirTag trackers to make them less creepy.

Spotify has launched a new “Only You” feature for its Android and iOS app.

And, a rejected Samsung AI assistant is causing a stir on the internet as some fans have created ‘porn’ involving the character.

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