{"id":319431,"date":"2026-04-16T07:43:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T02:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=319431"},"modified":"2026-04-16T07:43:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T02:13:33","slug":"how-the-rewards-app-freecash-scammed-its-method-to-the-highest-of-the-app-stores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/16\/how-the-rewards-app-freecash-scammed-its-method-to-the-highest-of-the-app-stores\/","title":{"rendered":"How the rewards app Freecash scammed its method to the highest of the app stores"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A knowledge harvesting app called Freecash<\/a> appears to have tricked users because it quickly rose to the highest charts on the App Store and Google Play, where it sat for months until a recent ban.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019ve been on TikTok this yr, you\u2019ve greater than likely encountered ads for Freecash. The app has been marketed<\/a> as a method to become profitable just by scrolling TikTok \u2014 and jumped to the highest of the app stores in recent months, peaking on the No. 2 position within the U.S. App Store.<\/p>\n

In fact, Freecash pays users to play mobile games \u2014\u00a0all of the while collecting a heaping amount of sensitive data, in response to cybersecurity company Malwarebytes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A Malwarebytes report notes<\/a> that the app may collect details about users\u2019 race, religion, sex life, sexual orientation, health, and other biometrics, adding that the app is actually an information broker trying to match game developers with users who’re willing to put in and spend money on mobile games. Games promoted on Freecash include Monopoly Go and Disney Solitaire, amongst others.<\/p>\n

In response to a January report from Wired<\/a> that found Freecash used deceptive marketing techniques and nudged users to spend money in games, TikTok pulled a few of Freecash\u2019s ads, saying the corporate broke its rules around financial misrepresentation. On the time, Freecash denied involvement, saying the ads were generated by third-party affiliates, not itself.<\/p>\n

On Monday, after being contacted by TechCrunch for comment, Apple pulled Freecash from its App Store. As of Monday afternoon, the app was still listed within the Google Play store. (It has since been removed). <\/p>\n

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When reached for comment, Almedia, the Germany-based company that owns Freecash, denied allegations of driving artificial traffic to its platform or using deceptive marketing techniques.<\/p>\n

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Techcrunch event<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSan Francisco, CA<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t|<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 13-15, 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cOur apps are fully compliant with the Apple App Store and Google Play Store policies, as demonstrated by the undeniable fact that they’re live and commonly pass platform reviews,\u201d an email from Almedia PR manager James Law, signed \u201cAlmedia Press Office,\u201d noted. \u201cWe don’t comment on internal product strategy regarding specific app listings.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The query stays how an app like Freecash was in a position to game social media ads and other partnerships to rise to the highest of the app store. The app\u2019s downloads shot up in January 2026 to achieve 5.5 million across global app stores, up from 876,000 in October 2025, in response to data<\/a> from market intelligence firm Appfigures<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The expansion sent the app into the No. 2 position on the U.S. App Store. Because of organic discovery and other marketing efforts, it continued to carry a top 5 spot nearly each day since January 8. On Google Play, it reached No. 7 overall, Appfigures said.<\/p>\n

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Appfigures told TechCrunch that Freecash\u2019s downloads peaked in February, reaching nearly 6 million, but have since been declining. Current estimates had put the app on course for around 3 million installs in April. <\/p>\n

Nonetheless, Freecash\u2019s game extends beyond misleading TikToks, possible fake rankings, suspiciously favorable Google backlinks<\/a>, and the apparent<\/a> use of bots to drive traffic to the app.<\/p>\n

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A possible bait-and-switch<\/h2>\n

Before Freecash rocketed to the highest of the Apple and Google app stores, it was created under two different developer accounts. <\/p>\n

Third-party data from market intelligence provider Appfigures<\/a> shows that Almedia GmbH<\/a>, the German company behind the Freecash app, first submitted Freecash<\/a> to the Apple App Store on March 24, 2024, nevertheless it was removed after around two months on June 13, 2024. (Appmagic<\/a> sees its removal on June 12 \u2014 see below.)<\/p>\n

This version of the app was downloaded an estimated 69.5K times before removal, Appfigures said.<\/p>\n

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Months later, a second app that already existed on the shop, developed by the Cyprus-based company 256 Rewards Ltd<\/a>, was rebranded as \u201cFreecash<\/a>,\u201d and an update was submitted under that app\u2019s ID, in response to the third-party data.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear if Almedia acquired the Cyprus-based developer, which was originally<\/a> called<\/a> Rewards<\/a>, or if it simply acquired the developer account. Rewards now not appears to have a functioning<\/a> website<\/a> or social media<\/a> presence<\/a>, and the team behind the corporate has since moved on to a brand new company<\/a>, Pushed<\/a>. (Rewards\u2019 co-founders didn\u2019t reply to a request for comment about their prior company sent via their recent company\u2019s email.)<\/p>\n

Almedia\u2019s re-entry into the App Store through one other developer account can have been a way of circumventing a ban on the initial Freecash app. Using one other developer to re-enter the App Store after a ban is a standard, though rule-breaking, tactic. (Almedia\u2019s spokesperson declined to comment about its earlier app takedown.)<\/p>\n

A Washington Post report<\/a> in regards to the scam app ecosystem noted this trend, highlighting several fraudulent apps that may disappear from the App Store after which reappear under a special developer account. Other independent investigations<\/a> have documented this tactic<\/a> as well, and infrequently, scam apps\u2019 owners operate a portfolio<\/a> of accounts, it\u2019s been reported.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear if Almedia employed similar practices in approving its Freecash app, but what is obvious is that the Rewards app was renamed to Freecash only five months ago before quickly rocketing to the highest of the Apple and Google stores. The corporate\u2019s spokesperson didn’t say whether its original apps were banned for policy violations.<\/p>\n

Apple\u2019s App Store guidelines<\/a> prohibit apps that attempt to trick its App Review system by doing things like circumventing bans.<\/p>\n

After TechCrunch reached out to Apple for comment, the corporate removed Freecash from the App Store for violations of its rules on Monday, citing the misleading marketing. Apple pointed TechCrunch to 2 App Store Review Guidelines<\/a>, 3.1.2(a) and a couple of.3.1, which forbid scamming users, engaging in bait-and-switch tactics, and marketing apps in a misleading way.<\/p>\n

As well as, Apple\u2019s Developer Program License Agreement<\/a> also says developers cannot engage in illegal, unfair, misleading, fraudulent, improper, or dishonest acts or business practices regarding their app. This includes engaging in bait-and-switch pricing, consumer misrepresentation, deceptive business practices, or unfair competition against other developers, Apple noted. <\/p>\n

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Almedia can have done something similar on the Google Play Store. The corporate\u2019s original app<\/a> (developer ID com.freecash.twa \u2014 see above) was removed in January 2024, per Appfigures. The present Freecash app is listed under a special developer ID (com.freecash.app2<\/a>). Google told us it\u2019s looking into the matter. After publication, Google confirmed to TechCrunch that the app was faraway from the Play Store around 2 AM PT on April 15, 2026.<\/p>\n

As of Friday, April 10, Freecash was No. 7 on the U.S. App Store and No. 13 on Google Play. <\/p>\n

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Despite the reports of its deceptive marketing tactics, Freecash had a really high review rating of 4.7 stars. It\u2019s not unusual or particularly difficult for brands to falsify reviews online, nevertheless it\u2019s possible the high rating meant it wasn\u2019t flagged by Apple for removal. <\/p>\n

In its statement, Apple told TechCrunch that users should report apps they imagine are engaging in scams or fraud via the\u00a0reportaproblem.apple.com<\/a>\u00a0website. <\/p>\n

Updated on April 15 to notice the app has now been faraway from Google\u2019s Play Store. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n