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A data collection application called Free cash It appears to have fooled users as it quickly rose to the top of the charts on the App Store and Google Play, where it remained for several months until it was recently banned.
If you’ve been using TikTok this year, you’ve likely encountered ads for Freecash. the The app has been marketed As a way to make money just by scrolling TikTok has rocketed to the top of the app stores in recent months, peaking at number two in the US App Store.
In fact, Freecash pays users to play mobile games – and at the same time collects a large amount of sensitive data, According to cybersecurity company Malwarebytes.
Malware report Notes The app may collect information about users’ race, religion, sexuality, sexual orientation, health and other biometrics, he said, adding that the app is essentially a data broker looking to match game developers with users willing to install and spend money on mobile games. Games promoted on Freecash include Monopoly Go, Disney Solitaire and others.
In response to the January report From wired After finding that Freecash used deceptive marketing techniques and pushed users to spend money in games, TikTok pulled some Freecash ads, saying the company violated its rules on financial misrepresentation. At the time, Freecash denied involvement, saying the ads were created by third-party companies, not itself.
On Monday, after TechCrunch contacted it for comment, Apple pulled Freecash from its App Store. As of Monday afternoon, the app was still listed in the Google Play Store.
When Almedia, the German company that owns Freecash, was contacted for comment, it denied allegations of directing artificial traffic to its platform or using deceptive marketing techniques.
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“Our apps are fully compliant with Apple App Store and Google Play Store policies, as evidenced by the fact that they are live and pass platform reviews on a regular basis,” said an email from Almedia’s PR director, James Low, signed by the Almedia Press Office. “We do not comment on internal product strategy regarding specific app listings.”
The question remains how an app like Freecash was able to manipulate social media ads and other partnerships to rise to the top of the App Store. App downloads in January 2026 rose to 5.5 million across global app stores, up from 876,000 in October 2025, According to the data From a market intelligence company Application forms.
This growth sent the app to second place in the US App Store. Thanks to organic discovery and other marketing efforts, it has continued to rank in the top five nearly every day since January 8. On Google Play, it reached seventh place overall, Appfigures said.
Appfigures told TechCrunch that Freecash downloads peaked in February, at nearly 6 million, but have since begun to decline. Current estimates have put the app on track for about 3 million installs in April.
However, the Freecash game extends beyond misleading TikToks, and potentially fake reviews, Suspiciously favorable Google backlinksand clear Use bots to drive traffic to the app.
Possible bait and switch
Before Freecash reached the top of the Apple and Google app stores, it was created under two different developer accounts.
Third party data from market information provider Application forms It shows Almedia GmbHthe German company behind the Freecash app, has made its debut Free cash To the Apple App Store on March 24, 2024, but was removed about two months later on June 13, 2024. (Magic application It is removed on June 12 – see below.)
Appfigures said this version of the app was downloaded an estimated 69.5 thousand times before it was removed.
Months later, a second app appeared already in the store, developed by a Cyprus-based company 256 REWARDS LIMITEDwas rebranded as “Free cash“, and an update was sent under this app ID, according to third-party data.
It is unclear whether Almedia has acquired the Cyprus-based developer, which it has originally Named RewardsOr if he simply gets a developer account. It seems that the rewards are no longer included Performance Website or Social media presenceand the team behind the company has Since I moved to a new company, I paid. (The Rewards founders did not respond to a request for comment about their previous company that was emailed to their new company.)
Almedia’s return to the App Store through another developer account may be a way to circumvent the ban on the initial Freecash app. Using another developer to re-enter the App Store after being banned is a common tactic, even though it violates the rules. (An Almedia spokesperson declined to comment on the previous takedown of the app.)
Washington Post report About the scam app ecosystem, he noticed this trend, highlighting many fraudulent apps that may disappear from the App Store and then reappear under a different developer account. Other independent Investigations I have documented it This tactic Also, very often, the owners of fraudulent applications Run the wallet From accounts, it has been reported.
It’s unclear whether Almedia used similar practices in approving the Freecash app, but what is clear is that the Rewards app was renamed to Freecash just five months ago before it quickly rose to the top of Apple and Google’s stores. A company spokesperson did not say whether its original apps had been banned due to policy violations.
Apple App Store Guidelines Block apps that try to cheat their app review system by doing things like circumventing the ban.
After TechCrunch reached out to Apple for comment, the company removed Freecash from the App Store for violating its rules on Monday, citing misleading marketing. Apple pointed out two to TechCrunch App Store Review Guidelinesand 3.1.2(a) and 2.3.1, which prohibit defrauding users, engaging in bait-and-switch tactics, and marketing the Apps in a misleading manner.
In addition, Apple Developer Software License Agreement It also states that developers shall not engage in illegal, unfair, deceptive, fraudulent, improper, or dishonest acts or business practices in connection with their applications. This includes engaging in bait-and-switch pricing, consumer misrepresentation, deceptive business practices, or unfair competition against other developers, Apple noted.
Almedia may have done something similar on the Google Play Store. Company Original application (Developer ID com.freecash.twa – see above) Removed in January 2024, according to Appfigures. The current Freecash app is listed under a different developer ID (com.freecash.app2). Google tells us it’s looking into the matter.
As of Friday, April 10, Freecash was ranked 7th on the US App Store and 13th on Google Play.
Despite reports of its deceptive marketing tactics, Freecash has a very high review score of 4.7 stars. It’s not uncommon or particularly difficult for brands to fake reviews online, but a high rating likely means they haven’t been flagged by Apple for removal.
In its statement to TechCrunch, Apple said users should report apps they believe are present Engaging in fraud Or fraud via reportaproblem.apple.com Website.