[Windows Central Question]

After having installed an app from the store, I received a warning that a virus had been installed on my phone.

To get it removed, I had to download another app. This asks for my mobile phone number and when having accessed it, I instantly was a subsrcriber to a service charging ridiculous amounts per week.

I feel this kind of apps should be removed.

[Teo Bartulovic]

You have antivirus on win powered phone?!?

[Pete]

Which app was this? I'll get this escalated.

[Hildr]

You have antivirus on win powered phone?!?

I think it's more like the new app acted like an antivirus spotting a virus, but in fact, there was nothing. Like all thoose ad-banners on the web saying you have a virus and you should install some random program to clean it.

[Pete]

There's a possibility that there's a message within the app that is asking the user to call this scam number, or there's an in-app advert. Without knowing details, it's a bit hard to diagnose.

Hopefully whoever asked the question here will log in and supply more information.

[Ronald1960]

I'm new at this forum. I didn't want to reveal that App name "into the open" yet.
Trust this is a 'private message'.

This is it:

Selfie for Lumia 8.1 by GI Exclusive Tools

I feel this is a blunt way of trying to make some money.
Answering to that 'antivirus' message costs some € 15,00 per week. Minimum subscription period is 1 week.

After having done this - and unsubscribed - I learned on this forum that a virus on WP isn't even possible.
Therefore, I feel this is simply stealing money from people.


Ronald

[Pete]

Thanks Ronald. I'll get this looked into.

There's a chance that this message came from an in-app advert, but this should not have happened.

[Pete]

Looking at the reviews for the app, it's simply an advert-ridden tutorial app and one of the adverts was probably crafted in a way to make you believe that it was the app telling you that you have a virus.

Please report the app to Microsoft using the "Report this app" link right at the bottom of the listing in the Windows Phone Store and describe the experience you suffered.

You mentioned that you had to download a second app that asked for your mobile phone number. What was this app, and is it likely that this message also came from an in-app advert?

When installing apps, people should take a good look at the reviews being given. If there's streams of 5 star reviews, but the comments are just nonsense like "good app", "amazing", etc, then the chances are that they're just spam to bump the ranking. Look for real reviews from real people. Or check out app reviews from reputable web sites.