{"id":606780,"date":"2026-04-14T18:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/606780\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T18:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:39:11","slug":"how-the-rewards-app-freecash-scammed-its-way-to-the-top-of-the-app-stores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/606780\/","title":{"rendered":"How the rewards app Freecash scammed its way to the top of the app stores"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

If you\u2019ve been on TikTok this year, you\u2019ve more than likely encountered ads for Freecash. The app has been marketed<\/a> as a way to make money just by scrolling TikTok \u2014 and jumped to the top of the app stores in recent months, peaking at the No. 2 position in the U.S. App Store.<\/p>\n

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

A Malwarebytes report notes<\/a> that the app may collect information about users\u2019 race, religion, sex life, sexual orientation, health, and other biometrics, adding that the app is essentially a data broker looking to match game developers with users who are willing to install and spend money on mobile games. Games promoted on Freecash include Monopoly Go and Disney Solitaire, among 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 some of Freecash\u2019s ads, saying the company broke its rules around financial misrepresentation. At 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 in the Google Play store.<\/p>\n

\"\"ScreenshotImage Credits:Freecash website screenshot<\/p>\n

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

Techcrunch event<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 13-15, 2026\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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

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

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

\"\"Image Credits:Appfigures (opens in a new window)<\/a><\/p>\n

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 track for around 3 million installs in April. <\/p>\n

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

\"\"Image Credits:Appfigures (opens in a new window)<\/a><\/p>\n

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

Before Freecash rocketed to the top 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, but 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

\"\"ScreenshotImage Credits:Freecash’s original listing, data from AppMagic (opens in a new window)<\/a><\/p>\n

Months later, a second app that already existed on the store, 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, according 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 no longer appears to have a functioning<\/a> website<\/a> or social media<\/a> presence<\/a>, and the team behind the company has since moved on to a new company<\/a>, Pushed<\/a>. (Rewards\u2019 co-founders didn\u2019t respond to a request for comment about their prior company sent via their new company\u2019s email.)<\/p>\n

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

A Washington Post report<\/a> about the scam app ecosystem noted this trend, highlighting several fraudulent apps that would disappear from the App Store and then reappear under a different developer account. Other independent investigations<\/a> have documented this tactic<\/a> as well, and often, 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 clear is that the Rewards app was renamed to Freecash only five months ago before quickly rocketing to the top of the Apple and Google stores. The company\u2019s spokesperson did not say whether its original apps were banned for policy violations.<\/p>\n

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

After TechCrunch reached out to Apple for comment, the company removed Freecash from the App Store for violations of its rules on Monday, citing the misleading marketing. Apple pointed TechCrunch to two App Store Review Guidelines<\/a>, 3.1.2(a) and 2.3.1, which forbid scamming users, engaging in bait-and-switch tactics, and marketing apps in a misleading way.<\/p>\n

In addition, Apple\u2019s Developer Program License Agreement<\/a> also says developers cannot engage in unlawful, unfair, misleading, fraudulent, improper, or dishonest acts or business practices relating to 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

\"\"ScreenshotImage Credits:Freecash’s original Android app, data from Apptopia (opens in a new window)<\/a><\/p>\n

Almedia may have done something similar on the Google Play Store. The company\u2019s original app<\/a> (developer ID com.freecash.twa \u2014 see above) was removed in January 2024, per Appfigures. The current Freecash app is listed under a different developer ID (com.freecash.app2<\/a>). Google tells us it\u2019s looking into the matter.<\/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

\"\"ScreenshotImage Credits:Freecash’s current App Store ranking (US); data via Appfigures (opens in a new window)<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite the reports of its deceptive marketing tactics, Freecash had a very high review score of 4.7 stars. It\u2019s not uncommon or particularly difficult for brands to falsify reviews online, but 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 believe are engaging in scams<\/a> or fraud via the\u00a0reportaproblem.apple.com<\/a>\u00a0website. <\/p>\n