APK files claiming to notify users of a fake court summons are being circulated on the Telegram messaging platform. Opening these files or clicking on malicious links can lead to severe consequences, as they act as a "key" for cybercriminals to gain access to victims' phones.

If an APK file is opened, cybercriminals can potentially obtain personal data, gain unauthorized access to accounts, remotely control the phone, steal money through financial apps, and send malicious files to the victim's contacts. This risk is heightened when the notifications are personalized, exploiting users' curiosity and concern about legal matters.

Recommendations if a suspicious app is installed include: disconnecting the internet or enabling airplane mode, immediately uninstalling the app via phone settings, consulting a specialist if issues persist, removing unfamiliar devices in payment apps (e.g., Payme, Click, Paynet), and changing the phone number linked to bank cards.

Previous reports indicated that a resident of Syrdarya used APK files spread via Telegram to steal over 2 billion soums from hundreds of citizens' bank cards, highlighting the widespread nature of such cybercrimes.

Source: kun.uz