b2b-daily
Home | IT | Cyber Security

Hackers Exploit NFC in New Android Payment Fraud Scheme

Avatar photo
by Bairon McAdams
April 23, 2025
Image Credit: Freepik / Freepik
Hackers Exploit NFC in New Android Payment Fraud Scheme
Article Highlights
Off On

Hackers are exploiting near-field communication (NFC) technology to commit instant payment fraud through the Chinese-speaking Android malware-as-a-service platform, SuperCard X. This malware enables real-time theft by using NFC to capture payment card data and make fraudulent transactions at point of sale (PoS) terminals and ATMs.

Unlike older methods such as overlay attacks or SMS interception, SuperCard X uses contactless functionalities in modern payment cards. Infected Android devices become NFC relay stations, simplifying the fraud process. Users of SuperCard X access “Reader” and “Tapper” applications via Telegram channels, making NFC relay fraud easily accessible without complex tool development.

The attack starts with spoofed messages from banks urging victims to call a number. Scammers then pose as bank agents, instructing victims to install the SuperCard X Reader app disguised as security software. This app requires minimal NFC permissions and standard system permissions, avoiding detection by security software.

When victims tap their card against the infected device, the Reader app captures NFC-transmitted card data. This data, including Answer To Reset (ATR) messages, is sent in real-time to the attackers. The Tapper app on another device uses the relayed ATRs to emulate the victim’s card, allowing for transactions at contactless PoS terminals and ATMs. Fraudulent withdrawals increase after convincing victims to lift spending limits. SuperCard X is distinct from other Android banking Trojans, focusing on NFC relay with minimal permissions, evading most antivirus engines. An analysis by Cleafy found extensive code reuse from open-source projects, indicating quick development and easy onboarding for affiliates.

In an Italian campaign, Cleafy noted customizations like tailored APK repackaging and pre-generated login credentials, streamlining the attack. SuperCard X highlights advanced social engineering and strategic minimalism in permissions, challenging current cybersecurity defenses with its covert and effective methods.

Android

Explore more

AI Redefines Software Engineering as Manual Coding Fades
April 30, 2026

The rhythmic clacking of mechanical keyboards, once the heartbeat of Silicon Valley innovation, is rapidly being replaced by the silent, instantaneous pulse of automated script generation. For decades, the ability to hand-write complex logic in languages like Python, Java, or C++ served as the ultimate gatekeeper to a world of prestige and high compensation. Today, that gate is being dismantled

Is Writing Code Becoming Obsolete in the Age of AI?
April 30, 2026

The 3,000-Developer Question: What Happens When the Keyboard Goes Quiet? The rhythmic tapping of mechanical keyboards that once echoed through every software engineering hub has gradually faded into a thoughtful silence as the industry pivots toward autonomous systems. This transformation was the focal point of a recent gathering of over 3,000 developers who sought to define their roles in a

Skills-Based Hiring Ends the Self-Inflicted Talent Crisis
April 30, 2026

The persistent disconnect between a company’s inability to fill open roles and the record-breaking volume of incoming applications suggests that modern recruitment has become its own worst enemy. While 65% of HR leaders believe the hiring power dynamic has finally shifted back in their favor, a staggering 62% simultaneously claim they are trapped in a persistent talent crisis. This paradox

AI and Gen Z Are Redefining the Entry-Level Job Market
April 30, 2026

The silent hum of a server rack now performs the tasks once reserved for the bright-eyed college graduate clutching a fresh diploma and a stack of business cards. This mechanical evolution represents a fundamental dismantling of the traditional corporate hierarchy, where the entry-level role served as a primary training ground for future leaders. As of 2026, the concept of “paying

How Can Recruiters Shift From Attraction to Seduction?
April 30, 2026

The traditional recruitment funnel has transformed into a complex psychological maze where simply posting a vacancy no longer guarantees a single qualified applicant. Talent acquisition teams now face a reality where the once-reliable job boards remain silent, reflecting a fundamental shift in how professionals view career mobility. This quietude signifies the end of a passive era, as the modern talent