A jobseeker lost 23 lakhs in savings after being approached by a fake recruiter on LinkedIn and tricked into downloading malicious software as part of a purported job interview process.
How Did The Fake Recruitor Approach The Victim?
The victim had handed in their notice and was looking for a new job when a person posing as a recruiter contacted them on LinkedIn. The recruiter sent a potential job offer and held a video call with the candidate about the position.
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What Did The Victim Download During The Interview?
The candidate was asked to complete what appeared to be a standard technical assessment, with instructions provided through a Google Sheet document. However, the document was carrying malicious software.
After completing the task, the candidate went to bed and later discovered that their online cryptocurrency wallets had been emptied.
How Much Money Did The Jobseeker Lose?
The victim said hackers drained £18,000 from their cryptocurrency accounts, wiping out their savings.
The victim later wiped their computer and changed their passwords. They described feeling a mixture of disbelief and anger after realising how the attackers had gained access.
Why Are Jobseekers Being Targeted By Scammers?
Cybersecurity researchers from Have I Been Squatted said newer recruitment scams can be difficult to identify because they can closely resemble genuine hiring processes.
The organisation’s chief executive, Juxhin D. Brijaj, said the victim had gone through what appeared to be a real job interview, using real Google pages and a legitimate Google login, before being asked to install software that appeared legitimate.
Which Fake Interview Apps Are Being Used?
According to cybersecurity company Malwarebytes, scammers are using the pressure and excitement surrounding job interviews to persuade candidates to download malicious applications.
Reported tactics include asking candidates to complete an interview by installing a fake Indeed interview application or claiming that a salary agreement will become available after an application is installed.
Once downloaded, the malicious applications can allow attackers to access private data for extortion or financial attacks.
How Can Jobseekers Protect Themselves From Interview Scams?
Jobseekers should remain cautious when recruiters ask them to download applications or software as part of an interview. Candidates should verify whether the platform actually requires additional software and be particularly careful with unfamiliar files or links. Indeed has said that interviews conducted through its platform take place entirely in a browser and do not require a separate application.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
