Usually smartphone owners are struggling with malicious applications that steal content of text messages or lists of contacts. This time an application spotted by portal Niebezpiecznik scammed iPhone users in a clever way. According to Niebezpiecznik the app used so called “black pattern” to scam Apple’s phone users for a hefty sum.

In order to increase number of downloads, cybercrooks picked an Instagram ad, in which the app was described as a calorie counter. All the user had to do was to take a picture of his meal and the app would count its calories. There was only one catch, during the “scanning” process user had to place his finger on the Home button. If we wanted to get dietary prescription we had to hold our finger on Home button for 10 seconds.

Home button contains a fingerprint reader, which apart from unlocking the phone is also used to verify an app purchase or a subscription in the Apple Store. Food Calories Detector app used those 10 seconds to confirm an expensive premium subscription for PLN 479.99.

Apple’s response was immediate, users can continue using the application, but this time the fee is a lot less and is set at PLN 4.99.