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Jobseekers are being urged to exercise caution after a rising number of scams have been reported on employment websites, where fraudsters impersonate recruiters to trick individuals into downloading harmful software disguised as legitimate interview tools. One such victim described being contacted through LinkedIn by a counterfeit recruiter and persuaded to download what appeared to be a typical document. Unfortunately, the file contained malicious software that enabled hackers to steal £18,000 in cryptocurrency from his accounts within hours.
The individual, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted the devastating impact of the scam, saying, “It’s a horrible feeling to be out a substantial amount – something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.” The fraud took place after the victim had already resigned from his previous job and expressed his job-seeking status clearly on his LinkedIn profile. The fake recruiter conducted a video interview and then instructed him to complete a so-called technical assessment via a Google Sheets document. It was only after finishing the task and going to sleep that he discovered his digital wallets were empty.
Major recruitment platforms including LinkedIn and Indeed have acknowledged an increase in such scams recently. LinkedIn published data revealing what it calls the Gen Z “Scam Gap,” showing that younger job hunters are most vulnerable, with 32% exposed to scams and an equal percentage ignoring warning signs due to intense competition for roles. A company spokesperson told the BBC that in a highly competitive job market, many young professionals feel pressured to take risks they might otherwise avoid. LinkedIn advises jobseekers to confirm the legitimacy of companies and job offers by conducting thorough research before engaging in any discussions.
Cybersecurity experts have warned that these scams have grown more sophisticated and difficult to detect. Charlie Kelly, a researcher from Have I Been Squatted, explained how the attack mimicked a genuine interview process, complete with real Google services and digitally signed software that appeared legitimate. Similar scams have also emerged on Indeed, where criminals use fake versions of interview apps such as “Indeed Interview” or “MyInterview” to trick candidates into downloading malware. According to cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes, scammers often use enticements like “Complete your interview by installing the Indeed app” or “salary agreement available after app installation.” Indeed has stressed that their interview processes always occur within a web browser and never require any app downloads, cautioning users that any request to install an app in relation to a job interview is fraudulent
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