QUADRIGA INITIATIVE
CRYPTO WATCHDOG & FRAUD RECOVERY PLATFORM
A COMMUNITY-BASED, NOT-FOR-PROFIT
UNKNOWN
OCTOBER 2018
GLOBAL
METAMASK
DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS
MetaMask is a "crypto wallet & gateway to blockchain apps. Start exploring blockchain applications in seconds. Trusted by over 21 million users worldwide." "Available as a browser extension and as a mobile app, MetaMask equips you with a key vault, secure login, token wallet, and token exchange—everything you need to manage your digital assets."
"Back in November 2018, malware researcher Lukas Stefanko found four fake crypto wallets on the Google Play Store that were posing as official pieces of software for neo, tether and metamask."
"[T]hese fake wallets were created using Drag-n-Drop app builder service without any coding knowledge required." "Stefanko noted that the apps were developed using the Drag-n-Drop app builder service, which does not require specific coding knowledge from the user. This means that nearly anyone is able to “develop” a simple malicious app to steal sensitive personal data, “once the Bitcoin (BTC) price rises,” according to Stefanko."
"Android PlayStore (from user POV) only allows to order reviews "highest first" but not "lowest first", and it's not possible to filter e.g. "only 1 star reviews"."
"In short, a scam app that actively manipulates reviews makes it [difficult] for the user to learn it's a scam."
"They were purportedly designed to phish users’ mobile banking credentials and credit card information." "The first one is phishing category where malicious app after launch requests from the user his private key and wallet password. That is the case for fake MetaMask app."
"The analyst states in the post that he reported the fake apps to the Google security team, after which the wallets were subsequently removed."
"David got scammed because, he didn't read app comments."
"Always go through comments before installing apps - it can save you some trouble."
A fake MetaMask wallet was discovered on the Google Play store. The wallet would request the user's private seed phrase during setup, which would then by sent to the attacker. It is unknown what funds were taken from unsuspecting users. There is no report of any funds being recovered.
HOW COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?
Always download wallets from the official source if possible. Typically, their primary website will direct you to the correct application. Check for recent negative reviews that report an application being a scam in the recent reviews history. Check to ensure an application has been available for an expected amount of time, and has a reasonable number of downloads. Once a wallet is set up, for any new wallet, always make a test transaction with a small amount of funds and a test withdrawal before using the wallet. Keep the majority of funds stored offline and only use mobile or PC-based wallets for funds you are actively using.
Fake Crypto Wallet App Imitating Trezor Found on Google Play Store (Mar 2)
Four Fake Cryptocurrency Wallets Found on Google Play Store (Mar 6)
Fake cryptocurrency wallets found on Play Store - Lukas Stefanko (Mar 6)
Android malware analysis - How fake Android cryptocurrency wallets work (NEO, Tether) | Crypto Scams - YouTube (Mar 6)
@LukasStefanko Twitter (Mar 6)
Wayback Machine (Mar 6)
Fake cryptocurrency wallets found on Play Store - Lukas Stefanko (Mar 6)
https://metamask.io/ (Mar 6)
What is MetaMask? - YouTube (Mar 6)
