In a world filled with countless mobile apps, a particular genre has gained popularity – games that promise cash rewards for playing.
One such app is Candy Craze, which claims users can earn over $1,000 simply by matching candies on their phones. With flashy ads showing piles of cash and people making bold claims like earning $1,200 in half an hour, it’s easy to be intrigued.
But as they say, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In this review, we’ll dive deep into Candy Craze, how it works, and whether it truly delivers on its big promises.
How Does it Work?
At its core, Candy Craze is a typical candy elimination game. Players tap on matching candy tiles to clear them from the board, much like the format popularized by games like Candy Crush. The app operates on a free-to-play model, allowing anyone to start playing without any registration or initial fees.
Once you open the app, you’re greeted by a candy-filled grid, and the objective is simple: click on two or more adjacent blocks of the same type to eliminate them. As you clear the board, the app claims that you’ll accumulate cash rewards for your efforts.
The twist that sets Candy Craze apart—at least in its marketing—is the promise of significant real-world payouts. From the moment you start playing, you’re bombarded with notifications about how much money you’ve earned, starting with an impressive “$579 newcomer reward” presented as soon as the app is launched.
Players are then shown a virtual pile of cash growing larger as they progress through the game. The app boasts that you can withdraw your earnings once you’ve accumulated at least $1,000. Sounds enticing, right? But, as we’ll explore, the real story is far from this rosy picture.
Does It Pay Out To Users?
Unfortunately, the short answer is no.
While the game creates the illusion of large cash rewards piling up rapidly, things take a concerning turn when you try to withdraw your earnings. Once you reach the supposed withdrawal threshold of $1,000, the app prompts you to enter your PayPal email to transfer the money.
Here’s where the red flags start appearing: after submitting your PayPal information, instead of processing the payout, the app redirects users to a fake PayPal website. At this point, it asks for a “platform fee”—a payment that is supposedly required to complete the transaction.
The justification? The app claims the fee is necessary due to “Google’s large denomination withdrawal requirements,” but this claim is extremely dubious. In reality, this is nothing more than a scam tactic to siphon money from unsuspecting users.
To make matters worse, even if users pay this platform fee, they never receive the payout. This makes it clear that Candy Craze doesn’t actually deliver on its promises and is designed to exploit users.
If It Doesn’t Pay Users, Why Does It Exist?
Given that Candy Craze doesn’t pay users as promised, you might wonder why it exists at all. The answer lies in ad revenue and in-app purchases.
The app’s monetization strategy relies heavily on showing users ads. From the moment you start playing, you’re presented with frequent opportunities to watch ads—likely the developer’s primary source of revenue. Each time a user engages with these ads, the developers earn money, which incentivizes them to lure in as many players as possible with promises of easy cash.
By making the game addictive and using bold claims of significant payouts, the developers keep users engaged long enough to generate substantial ad revenue. Moreover, the “platform fee” scam is another way for the developers to profit directly by tricking players into paying out of their own pockets.
Are There Any User Reviews Or Testimonials?
User reviews for Candy Craze are overwhelmingly negative, especially when it comes to the app’s false promises of payouts. Many users have shared their frustrations online, expressing disappointment after realizing they wouldn’t receive any money after reaching the withdrawal threshold.
Common complaints include:
- Reaching $1,000 only to be hit with a platform fee request.
- Fake PayPal screens that look convincing but are ultimately part of the scam.
- Frustration over the app’s excessive ads, which often interrupt gameplay.
- Accusations of data harvesting by requesting PayPal credentials.
Some users have even reported attempts to retrieve their money via PayPal for platform fee transactions, but with mixed results. In any case, these negative reviews confirm that Candy Craze does not pay out as advertised.
Pros
While the cons certainly outweigh the pros, here are a few points that may be seen as positives:
- Simple and Familiar Gameplay: The gameplay itself is straightforward and easy to understand, making it accessible for anyone who enjoys match-three puzzle games.
- Free to Download: Candy Craze is free to download and start playing, without requiring any upfront investment.
- No Registration Needed: You can play right away without having to sign up or create an account.
Cons
Unfortunately, Candy Craze has far more downsides than benefits:
- False Promises of Cash Rewards: The app lures players with promises of large payouts, which are ultimately never delivered.
- Platform Fee Scam: Even after reaching the payout threshold, players are asked to pay a dubious platform fee, which is a clear indication of a scam.
- Fake PayPal Interface: The use of a fake PayPal screen puts users’ personal and financial information at risk.
- Excessive Ads: Players are constantly interrupted by ads, which are likely the app’s primary source of income.
- Data Security Concerns: By asking for PayPal credentials and other personal information, the app raises concerns about potential data misuse or identity theft.
Is it Worth Your Time?
In a word: no. Candy Craze is a waste of time for anyone hoping to make real money. While the gameplay may be mildly entertaining for fans of candy-matching games, the app’s primary appeal—the promise of substantial cash rewards—is nothing more than a ruse to generate revenue for the developers through ads and scam tactics.
If you’re looking for a legitimate way to earn extra cash, Candy Craze isn’t the answer. Instead, consider exploring reputable survey apps, cashback apps, or reward-based platforms that have a track record of paying out to users. Apps like Candy Craze exist to exploit the dream of easy money, but in reality, they only benefit the developers.
To protect yourself from falling victim to such scams, always be skeptical of apps that promise large payouts with little effort. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stay vigilant, and don’t waste your time or risk your personal information on apps like Candy Craze.
In conclusion, Candy Craze is yet another app that preys on users with false promises and questionable tactics. Avoid it for your own financial and digital safety.