Meta Removes Ads for Fraud Apps Posing as Porn After India Sounds Alarm
Fraudsters use porn-themed Android apps to steal permissions, install malware and drain bank accounts, the unit said.
- On Monday, Meta removed dozens of Facebook and Instagram advertisements after India flagged a pattern of sexually explicit content luring users into downloading malware capable of stealing banking credentials and draining accounts.
- The Cybercrime Unit warned of "malicious Android applications masquerading as pornography apps" such as "Night Play" and "Kyss" that redirect users to phishing websites requiring downloads of an APK file outside official app stores.
- India recorded nearly $2.4 billion in cyber-fraud losses in 2025 targeting the digital-payments boom, while Meta internally projected scam advertising would generate about 10% of its 2024 revenue, roughly $16 billion.
- To secure devices, users should reboot in Safe Mode, check installed apps and uninstall anything suspicious, while avoiding APK files downloaded from ads or unknown sources to prevent unauthorized transactions.
- Reuters found at least 39 such advertisements still active after the government advisory, marking the second time in recent weeks that India raised concerns about financial fraud on major technology platforms.
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Meta eliminated dozens of ads months after India flagged a model of ads on Facebook and Instagram that used explicit sexual content and led to malware programs, according to Reuters. These ads tricked users to download malware programs that could have stolen their bank data. In India they were registered...
Meta removed dozens of ads this Monday (31) after India pointed out a pattern of advertisements on Facebook and Instagram that used sexually explicit content to attract users to download . .malwares . able to steal bank credentials and empty accounts. India recorded nearly $2.4 billion in losses due to cyber fraud in 2025, according to government data, as shock operators increasingly target the digital payment boom in the country. The government…
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Meta removes ads for fraud apps posing as porn after India sounds alarm
BENGALURU, Aug 31 : Meta on Monday removed dozens of advertisements after India flagged a pattern of Facebook and Instagram ads using sexually explicit content to lure users into downloading malware that could steal banking credentials and drain bank accounts.India recorded nearly $2.4 billion in cyber-fraud
Porn apps advertised on FB, Insta being used as bait to empty bank accounts, hijack phones, govt warns
National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU) has observed a rise in financial fraud through malicious Android applications and alerted agencies to keep a close watch.
Watch out: These fake porn apps are sneaking onto Android phones to steal money
The Ministry of Home Affairs's Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre warns Android users about malicious apps disguised as porn apps, promoted on Facebook and Instagram, and urges them to follow basic digital safety practices.
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