Google removed 22 applications from the Android Market last week due to new threat to mobile phones directed against European users.

Free apps were charging users’ phones to send and receive text messages on their behalf, venturebeat.com website reports.

Upon launching the app, the person sees a “To continue, click below” prompt above a giant Next button. By clicking the button, the user agrees to the terms of service agreement. Once the “Next” button is pushed, the app gives itself permission to send and receive texts on your phone, charging you each time it uses the SMS short code, the article says.

At the moment Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Czech Republic, Poland, Great Britain, Italy, Israel, France, Germany and other countries’ users are affected.