Fake 'Lounge Pass' App Scams 450 Indian Air Travelers Out of ₹9 Lakh
Cybersecurity experts reveal the fraudulent app intercepted sensitive information to steal money, with warnings of similar scams on the rise.
Overview
- The fraudulent 'Lounge Pass' app was distributed via WhatsApp, targeting travelers seeking airport lounge access.
- Over 450 victims installed the app between July and August 2024, resulting in losses exceeding ₹9 lakh.
- The app intercepted SMS messages, including OTPs, allowing scammers unauthorized access to victims' accounts.
- CloudSEK researchers discovered the scam by analyzing an exposed Firebase server storing intercepted messages.
- Authorities caution that this scam is part of a larger trend with similar fake apps potentially in circulation.