A Trojan virus targeting Android-run mobile phones is on the loose and is secretly sending $6 text messages without the knowledge of the infected device's user.

Security developer Kaspersky Lab said the Trojan-SMS masquerades as a media player to trick mobile phone users into downloading the malware. Unsuspecting victims learn of the infection upon receiving their phone bills reflecting the high SMS charges.

The Trojan comes from an infected adult webpage which sends viewers the 16.4 KB app and a message asking for consent to send an SMS. When the media player app is launched, the phone starts sending text messages to a number that charges $6 per SMS.

Jimmy Fong, Channel Sales Director of Kaspersky Lab, Southeast Asia, warned users against allowing an application to access a service as this may compromise the mobile phone user's bank account.

Kaspersky Lab said Android phones are favorite targets of hackers because of its phenomenal sales.