Motivated by a simple job search and promises of easy earning opportunities, many people can end up being trapped in networks of online scams like the one recently revealed by the cybersecurity company ESET. And it is that easy opportunities are expensive.
ESET detected that an alleged job offer from the renowned technology company DJI (manufacturer of cameras and drones) was being used as fish hook by criminals to carry out illegal money laundering operations.
These were taking advantage of the company’s reputation to deceive users by making them victims of a plot designed to turn victims into bank “mules”.
In other words: you start by discussing a job opportunity through WhatsApp messages and you end up participating in the movement and laundering of money illegally obtained. But several aspects of this offer should set off our alarm bells and make us suspicious as soon as we receive it…
- First of all, the message comes from a number with a foreign prefixin this case, registered in the Republic of Benin (West Africa).
- The offer requires very few requirements (basically having a device with Internet access) and offers significantly higher salaries for seemingly simple tasks. That is to say, ‘Up to 500 euros per hour’? ‘Up to €10,000 per month’? Sorry?
- The link provided in the message is shortened, making it difficult to identify your actual destination before clicking on it. But, when you click on it, redirects us to a website unrelated to DJI.
DO NOT BE FOOLED! The main SCAMS in ONLINE SHOPPING and HOW TO AVOID THEM
A simple job, if you want to finish in chirona
A few redirects later, the victim ends up in a WhatsApp conversation with a person who tries to persuade them of the advantages of fraudulent work. Specifically, of receive large sums of money in their bank accounts and forward those funds to other accounts under the control of their employers…for a commission, of course.
But, although they are presented as ‘legitimate’ business operations, if you accept you would actually be helping in the movement and laundering of money from criminal activities, such as the theft of funds from bank accounts whose access details have been leaked through the use of trojans.
Although cryptocurrencies have helped to innovate in the field of money laundering, the recruitment of “muleros” continues to be an effective strategy… for the leaders of the plots. However, the ‘mules’ are the weakest link in the chain in this kind of scam and, ultimately, they are easier for authorities to track down and stop.
Via | ESET
Image | ESET + Marcos Merino through AI
In Genbeta | This Trojan for Android is being a nightmare for banks like BBVA, Santander or CaixaBank: this is Xenomorph