Virtual Asset Fraud Surges…Kakao Pay: "Beware of Malicious Apps"

Virtual Asset Fraud Surges…Kakao Pay: "Beware of Malicious Apps"

6,000 Malware Detections Per Day, Spread via Telegram Expands

Kakao Pay [377300] announced on the 23rd that installations of malicious apps related to virtual asset Ponzi schemes and phishing have recently surged.

According to Kakao Pay's vaccine detection results, detections of new malware (malicious code) related to virtual asset fraud have sharply increased starting this month.

The number of malware detections, which was below 2,000 per day at the beginning of this month, surged to 6,000 in mid-month, with a total of 82,212 detections over two weeks.

The detected content primarily consists of malicious apps that lure users into virtual asset Ponzi schemes (multi-level financial fraud) using AI trading and high returns as bait.

Kakao Pay advised users to avoid downloading installation files delivered via Telegram and other platforms, and to report suspected fraud to the Financial Supervisory Service or the police.

Furthermore, methods for frequently checking smartphones using professional security services like Kakao Pay Vaccine were also suggested.