Cybercriminals have been targeting students seeking jobs since March, engaging in a cybercrime campaign to defraud them, according to a cybersecurity company’s report. Scammers are posing as bioscience and health companies, inviting students to attend video calls for job interviews and then asking them to pay upfront fees as a condition of employment.
The modus operandi of the scammers involves sending email messages to targets offering remote data entry jobs and attaching a PDF containing hardware and software requirements for the job, totaling up to $7,000. Although the researchers couldn’t confirm the details of the video interviews, they believe the scammers likely asked students to pay for equipment upfront, promising reimbursement with their first paycheck. Alternatively, the students may have received a check to deposit into their bank accounts, intending to use it to purchase equipment from a fake supplier. The scammers would then drain the money from the students’ accounts, leaving them responsible for the bounced check.
Students make ideal targets for cybercriminals due to their lack of experience with scams and phishing attempts. Their financial challenges and trusting nature make them susceptible to fraudulent offers that promise to alleviate their financial burdens. Moreover, students’ connections to university networks also make them vulnerable, as hackers could exploit their accounts to gain access to sensitive information stored in the university’s systems.
To avoid falling victim to such scams, cybersecurity experts recommend students verify the legitimacy of job postings and potential employers before sharing any personal information. Seeking guidance from trusted advisors, researching companies, and being cautious of unexpected job offers are also essential steps to protect against online scams.
In conclusion, students need to stay informed and exercise caution when seeking job opportunities to safeguard themselves from fraudulent job offers and cybercrime activities.
