Fake ChatGPT Apps Scamming Users Out of Thousands Of Dollars: Report

A cybersecurity company has found multiple apps masquerading as legitimate ChatGPT-based chatbots. These apps coerce unsuspecting users into signing up for a subscription that can cost hundreds of dollars a year.

The cybersecurity experts at Sophos revealed that these apps were found in both Google Play and Apple App Store. And as their free versions offer close no functionality and lot of ads, users are charged for a supposed subscription-based usage, which would give them access to a better experience on the apps.

“They’re banking on the fact that users won’t pay attention to the cost or simply forget that they have this subscription. They’re specifically designed so that they may not get much use after the free trial ends, so users delete the app without realizing they’re still on the hook for a monthly or weekly payment,” said Sean Gallagher, principal threat researcher, Sophos. 

The cybersecurity experts investigated five of these fake ChatGPT apps, all of which claimed to be based on ChatGPT’s algorithm. 

In some cases, as with the app ‘Chat GBT’, the developers played off the ChatGPT name to improve their app’s ranking in the Google Play or App Store. 

While OpenAI offers the basic functionality of ChatGPT to users for free online, these apps were charging anything from USD 10 per month to USD 70 per year. The iOS version of ‘Chat GBT’, called Ask AI Assistant, charges USD 6 per week (USD 312 per year) after the three-day free trial. The app collected USD 10,000 in March alone. 

Another such app, called Genie, which encourages users to sign up for a USD 7 weekly or USD 70 annual subscription, brought in USD 1 million over the past month.

“The best protection is education. Users need to be aware that these apps exist and always be sure to read the fine print whenever hitting ‘subscribe.’ Users can also report apps to Apple and Google if they think the developers are using unethical means to profit,” added Gallagher.