Downloaded thinking it was Chrome, but something else opened up! Major scam uncovered on the Play Store..

Have you downloaded Google Chrome from the Play Store recently? It might be a fake app. According to a Reddit post, a suspicious app—bearing a striking resemblance to Google Chrome—appeared in the Play Store’s search results. The app’s name and logo were reportedly identical to those of the original, yet it was created by a completely different developer. By the time Google removed it, the fake app had already surpassed 100,000 downloads. Even more concerning is that, instead of providing web browsing capabilities, the app featured a chat-style interface with AI avatars and was flooded with advertisements—a discovery that raises serious questions about Google’s app-screening process.

Fake Chrome App
As per the Reddit post, this counterfeit app, which closely mimicked Google Chrome, appeared in the official Google Play Store search results. Its name and logo were nearly identical to the original Chrome app, but it was listed under a different developer name: "Hizbartech." The post further noted that the copycat app appeared as a "Sponsored" listing, positioned directly above the legitimate Chrome app in the search results.

A comment on the Reddit thread revealed that the app was initially listed on August 22 as a game called "Ball Bounce." Later, on September 30, its name and logo were changed to resemble Google Chrome. Users who installed it discovered that it was neither a game nor a browser; instead, it presented a chat-style interface featuring AI avatars and bombarded the screen with advertisements. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that the app stole passwords or installed malware on users' devices. 

Questions Raised Regarding Play Store Security
Before being removed, this listing had reportedly surpassed 100,000 downloads. This raises questions about how the app managed to pass Google’s safety checks, and whether the changes made to its name and icon were properly reviewed. Another major concern involves the use of paid promotions, which allowed this listing to secure a top spot—despite it masquerading as a well-known Google product. Notably, at the time of writing, this fake app was no longer visible on the Google Play Store.

How Can You Stay Safe?
While such incidents may not be frequent, it is always wise to exercise caution to avoid falling into such traps. Staying safe is quite simple: before downloading any app from the Play Store, always check the developer's name. The publisher of the genuine Chrome app is 'Google LLC.' It is also important to remember that the presence of a 'sponsored' tag does not automatically make an app fake, nor does a high download count guarantee that an app is legitimate. If you come across a suspicious app, report it immediately via the Play Store so that the relevant authorities can investigate the matter.

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