Google Chrome scam tricks users into emailing bank details to criminals

New malware disguised as the popular web browser is targeting internet users

Fortunately, there are several clear differences between the real Google Chrome and Betaling (REUTERS/Stephen Lam)

Cybercriminals have created a malicious app designed to trick unsuspecting Chrome users into giving away their credit card details.

The malware, which has been dubbed ‘Betaling - Google Chrome’, does a pretty convincing job of imitating Google’s popular web browser.

First spotted by MalwareHunter, the fake browser uses the official Chrome icon, as well as the same HTTPS lock icon and a similar navigation bar and general layout.

Fortunately, there are several clear differences between the real Google Chrome and Betaling, so users can protect themselves.

Most obviously for UK users, Betaling – which means ‘payment’ in Dutch – is predominantly targeting Chrome users in the Netherlands right now, and therefore has a user interface that’s only available in the Dutch language.

The Betaling browser window can’t be resized or minimised either, with only the close button actually functional.

On startup, it also launches a page with a form asking users to enter their payment details.

According to security blog BleepingComputer, users who fall for the scam will have their information collected and forwarded to an AOL email address.

A similar, albeit slightly more polished Gmail phishing scam, was discovered earlier this year.

The attack, which started with a hacker firing off an email containing an infected image disguised as a PDF, was found to be capable of imitating the Gmail sign-in page and composing convincing emails by analysing and mimicking a victim’s past messages.