Lands IT execs in a Tokyo Jail...



Looks like theTokyo police arrested six men in connection with an Android malware campaign that netted $265,000 or 21 million yen.

Seems that Japan was recently the site of a high-profile Android security incident.

Last week, Tokyo police arrested six men, including two IT executives and one former tech exec, in connection with an Android malware campaign that netted $265,000.

Apparently, they created a piece of Android malware that they disguised as a video player and distributed through an adult website starting in December 2011.

The software presumably offered adult videos or other related content, but once the app was installed it stole users' personal information, including phone numbers and e-mail addresses, which were then stored on a server hosted outside of Japan.

After the data theft, the malicious Android software displayed a message that demanded payment of 99,800 yen (about $1,260) per person. After the app was launched for the first time it displayed a message similar to the following text every five minutes, even if users restarted their devices:

"Please pay the fees as soon as possible. You need to confirm the unpaid amount. It totals 99,800 yen."
While the app wasn't particularly sophisticated, it convinced more than 200 Japanese men to shell out $1200 each.

The malicious app was distributed through third-party sites and not through Google's official Play Store.

These arrests mark the first time a major police force brought down criminals who used Android malware to extort a significant chunk of cash.

NEWS SOURCE: Android Malware Scam nets 265k lands it execs Tokyo jail (via) CIO Blog

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!