Scammers are trying to take advantage of the in-demand smartphone application Flappy Bird by releasing a version that unknowingly charge users who install the app.

The copied version looks exactly like the original, but it comes with a catch wherein the app developer can send messages (SMS) to the user, the cost of which, to be shouldered by the latter.

"All of the fake versions we've seen so far are premium service abusers - apps that send messages to premium numbers, thus causing unwanted charges to victims' phone billing statements," Trend Micro Mobile Security posted on their blogsite.

Credit: Trend Micro

"The fake Flappy Bird app asks for the additional read/send text messages permissions during installation - one that is not required in the original version."

Credit: Trend Micro