DoubleVerify uncovers “AfterCall” mobile ad fraud

Digital media measurement and verification company DoubleVerify has identified, via its Fraud Lab, a growing mobile ad fraud scheme it calls “AfterCall” ads—intrusive ads that appear immediately after Android users end a phone call.

“AfterCall” ad fraud

The fraud works by tricking users into granting overlay permissions, allowing malicious apps to display ads outside their normal context. The apps also use evasion techniques that make them difficult for users to identify and uninstall.

According to DV, the trend is significant, with dozens of fraudulent AfterCall apps are identified every month. The company said that, collectively, they generate hundreds of millions of ad impressions, adding that the scheme not only wastes advertiser spend but also creates a poor user experience that can damage brand perception

In an article posted on Medium, DV’s engineering team explains how the fraud operates, why it’s difficult for platforms to detect and how its AI-powered fraud detection identifies the tactic across multiple app variations.

DoubleVerify said it has uncovered a wave of unique fraud schemes lately, from AfterCall to FanFarming to DreamScheme.