Cybercriminals are scrambling to cash in on unwary fans of Netflix's hyper-violent blockbuster Korean series as the "Squid Game" craze sweeps the globe. According to the Sun, a cybersecurity expert noticed that an app for Singapore-themed wallpaper — available on the Google Play Store — was infecting people's phones with pernicious spyware.

A cybersecurity expert noticed that an app for Singapore-themed wallpaper — available on the Google Play Store — was infecting people's phones with pernicious spyware.

Hundreds of applications based on the blockbuster hit series were available, including the reportedly menacing "Squid Game Wallpaper 4K HD." When downloaded, the technical Trojan horse infects Android smartphones with Joker malware, allowing hackers to access personal information.

The app was being used by digital con artists to carry out "malicious ad-fraud and/or unsolicited SMS subscription acts," which meant that infected smartphones might be bombarded with unwelcome text messages.

The cybercrime warriors alerted Google about the plan, but by the time they removed it, it had already been downloaded 5,000 times.