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According to Imore, cryptocurrency scammers have managed to dupe a whopping $1.4 million from users of popular dating apps and Facebook by advertising fake crypto app CryptoRom and abusing Apple's Developer Enterprise service that reviews fake apps.
Scammers stole $1.4 million through Bitcoin dating app scam, says report https://t.co/68wlzQ2HtR
— iMore (@iMore) October 14, 2021
iPhone users lose $1.4 million to crypto scammers
iPhone users have been tricked into investing money in fake cryptocurrency apps that were advertised on Facebook and popular dating platforms, such as Tinder, Grindr, Bumble and some others.
A recent news report shared by Sophos states that a scam called CryptoRom has made iPhone users to lose a load of money. Previously this year, in May, a similar scam stripped Asian users of both iOS and Android, of large amounts of cash as well. However, this time the losses are way bigger to those who wanted to invest in digital currencies. Some lost thousands of USD, however, Android users were spared this time.
Here’s how the Bitcoin scam works
Crooks get in touch with unsuspecting users via fake profiles on dating apps and Facebook, they start a conversation and then lure their potential victims to install CryptoRom and invest in Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies on it.
After making their first profits on small trial investments, victims withdraw money and are encouraged to invest more. Once they deposit a larger amount on the scam app, they cannot withdraw it back anymore.
The article emphasized that the scam for iPhone users has been successful mainly via the abuse of the Apple's Developer Enterprise program. This way scammers have found a way around the Apple's App Store search for fake apps on the App Store.