It’s extremely difficult for Apple to stop apps from behaving differently during review than they do when downloaded from the App Store. A large number of developers implement schemes like this, and most aren’t scammers.
Even if Apple has reviewers download the approved app from the store to double check it hadn’t changed behavior, they can be gamed. Remember the Uber App Review geofencing that went on for years?
Even if Apple has reviewers download the approved app from the store to double check it hadn’t changed behavior, they can be gamed. Remember the Uber App Review geofencing that went on for years?