Fake WhatsApp clone appears in sponsored slot above legitimate app on Google Play Store
A counterfeit WhatsApp app has accumulated over 500,000 downloads and is displayed as a sponsored result ahead of the authentic version.
What happened
A fake WhatsApp Messenger application created by developer 'Agment Assets sallu' appeared in a sponsored slot on Google's Play Store above the legitimate WhatsApp app. The impostor has the same icon, screenshots, and descriptive text as the real version and has accumulated over 500,000 downloads. The listing remained active at the time of reporting. Android Authority reported that the clone may be using Google Play's Early Access program to disable public user reviews, potentially preventing users from warning others against the app.
Context
This incident follows a similar incident in which a Chrome clone was spotted on the Play Store. The genuine WhatsApp has 10 billion downloads, an 'editor's choice' badge, and over 246 million reviews—markedly different from the impostor's profile. The appearance of a counterfeit app in a paid promotional placement above the authentic version raises questions about the effectiveness of Google's Play Store curation and verification mechanisms in protecting users from malicious or fraudulent applications.