The state cybercrime unit issued an advisory warning of a fresh wave of loan-app scams, in which victims are harassed with morphed photographs after downloading apps that request access to their contacts and photo gallery.

Officials said the apps typically offer small, quick loans but charge steep hidden fees, and use the harvested contact data to pressure borrowers into repaying faster.

The unit has asked app store operators to review a batch of newly reported lending apps and has urged users to avoid apps requesting permissions unrelated to their stated purpose.