Google moves to delete 'RuFraud' scam Android apps

Google has removed 22 applications from its Android Market after they were discovered to contain fraudulent software, BBC News reported.

Apps posing as popular third-party software such as Angry Birds tricked users into sending premium text messages.

Unlike some other app services, Android Market apps are not vetted prior to being added to the store.

Google has said it swiftly removes apps that violate its security policies.

Lookout, a mobile security company based in San Francisco, believes the fraud attempt originated from Russia.

After notifying Google of the 22 affected apps, Lookout said it then identified five more apps running the so-called "RuFraud" scam.

The scam would make a user believe they were about to download a game or program, but instead they were giving the phone "permission" to send a text message costing about £3.

Lookout believes that there have been at least 14,000 downloads of apps containing RuFraud. Users across Europe were affected, including the UK.

The company said attacks of this nature have risen in the past few months.