Threats Tagged 'nfc relay'

A new NFC relay malware family called WindRelay has been discovered operating in combination with SpyNote RAT to enable sophisticated contactless payment fraud. The scheme uses live social engineering phone calls where fraudsters impersonate bank employees and guide victims to install personalized RAT malware labeled with the victim's own name. Once installed, the RAT enables silent deployment of WindRelay, which captures contactless payment card data via NFC when victims tap their cards to their phones. The captured data is relayed in real-time to fraudster-controlled terminals for immediate cash-out through physical purchases or ATM withdrawals. The operation employs dual monetization, combining RAT-driven digital loan fraud with NFC-based card-present transactions. Group-IB identified 23 WindRelay samples targeting victims in Czechia, Slovakia, and Slovenia between November 2025 and July 2026.

MediumMalwareCzechiaPolandSlovakia+1#windrelay#android banking trojan#ghost tapping

ESET researchers have identified a new NGate malware variant targeting Android users in Brazil since November 2025. The threat actors trojanized the legitimate HandyPay NFC payment application, likely using AI-generated code, to relay NFC data from victims' payment cards to attacker-controlled devices. The malware enables unauthorized ATM withdrawals and payments while also capturing and exfiltrating payment card PINs to command-and-control servers. Distribution occurs through two channels: a fake Rio de Prêmios lottery website where victims always win a rigged prize, and a fraudulent Google Play page offering a fake card protection app. Both distribution sites are hosted on the same domain. This campaign represents an evolution in NFC-based fraud, with attackers choosing to patch existing legitimate applications rather than using established malware-as-a-service offerings.

MediumMalwareBrazil#handypay trojanization#brazil targeting#ngate

A new Android banking trojan named RatOn has emerged, combining NFC relay attacks with remote access and automated transfer capabilities. Discovered by analysts monitoring the NFSkate threat group, RatOn targets cryptocurrency wallets and banking applications, particularly in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The malware is distributed through adult-themed websites and employs a multi-stage infection process. RatOn features overlay attacks, automated money transfers, and cryptocurrency wallet takeovers. It demonstrates sophisticated capabilities, including screen casting, PIN interception, and extensive bot commands. The trojan's evolution from a basic NFC relay tool to a complex RAT with ATS functionality makes it a significant threat in the mobile malware landscape.

MediumCampaignSlovakiaCzechia#cryptocurrency#nfskate#banking trojan

A new Android Trojan called PhantomCard is targeting banking customers in Brazil, with potential for global expansion. The malware relays NFC data from victims' banking cards to fraudsters' devices, enabling unauthorized transactions. Distributed through fake 'Google Play' pages as a 'card protection' app, PhantomCard is based on a Chinese-originating NFC relay Malware-as-a-Service. The actor behind it is a known reseller of Android threats in Brazil. PhantomCard's emergence highlights the growing popularity of NFC-based attacks among cybercriminals and the evolving threat landscape, where local threats can reach global markets through reselling schemes.

MediumMalwarePortugalSpainItaly+4#btmob#brazil#phantomcard