"SFind" iOS App SCAM Is Out of Control

[Im_Razorbacked]

I don't know if anyone at Spotify has noticed this, but for weeks now an app under the name "SFind for Spotify Premium - Pro +" has been the #1 most purchased paid music app in the US.

Priced $4.99, this app is clearly nothing but a scam trying to trick Spotify users it is actually the Premium upgrade.  The developer has directly copied the Spotify logo (for the app icon), the screenshots, and the app description from Spotify's official app.  In reality, "SFind" is only an app that lets you search for songs, then links you to Spotify's app for playback -- it is not even capable of playback itself!

As a legitimate developer myself, I am infuriated that this scam has been allowed (by Apple and seemingly by Spotify as well) to reign as the top paid music app for all of this time.  I am stunned that no one has started a Community thread complaining about this yet, and I finally had to myself because this sort of lucrititive, destructive behavior cannot be allowed to continue, let alone actually succeed in making the offender filthy rich.

Spotify, please tell me you are taking every step possible to remove this horrible app from the App Store, or at the very least enforce your own rules when it comes to use of logotype and copyrighted materials in the marketing of third-party products.  Frankly, I'm of the opinion you should sue this developer for everything he/she owns as a result of scamming your loyal customers, because it has not only stolen your revenues, but tarnished your reputation to thousands of potential subscribers who were tricked.

[Ambivalence]

This has been escalated to the Spotify team.

Unfortunately, Spotify cannot do anything about its release. It's all about Apple's acceptance process.

[Im_Razorbacked]

Thanks, Ambivalence.

While it's true Spotify can't do anything to prevent the release, they can use this form to submit a claim regarding the violation of intellectual property rights:

http://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/appstorenotices/

[MattSuda]

I've brought this up several times with staff. They are aware of it and hopefully Apple will remove it soon.

[MattSuda]

I just escalated this again. Let's hope this developer hears from lawyers soon. 

[MattSuda]

I found a news article about it:

http://mic.com/articles/125516/top-app-store-download-sfind-for-spotify-premium-is-a-scam

This developer has a history of scams. Hopefully the app will be removed soon. 

[Im_Razorbacked · Accepted solution]

It appears it is finally over. I cannot find the app on the App Store any longer. Thanks to anyone who helped bring this to an end, and hopefully no one will be able to get this sort of blatant scam through Apple again.

[MattSuda]

YAY! Good riddance! 

[Im_Razorbacked]

Here we go again...  SFind Pro for Spotify Premium is already #5 on US paid music apps.  I guess the scammers just can't help themselves after the success of the last one.

This one isn't quite as blatent in that they didn't directly copy Spotify's screenshots, but they clearly stole the icon (albiet an old one) and app description exactly like the last one...

[MattSuda]

@Im_Razorbacked

Yep, I have been eyeing that one.

It doesn't have copycat screenshots, however it does have the same description and it uses an old Spotify logo which is not ok.

I have passed this app on to be looked into.

[MattSuda]

@Im_Razorbacked

The legal team is on it.

I keep a close eye on the app store, but in case I miss any, please let me know if you see anymore and I'll pass them on to Spotify. It might be better to send me a private message next time going forward.