Fake E-mail Scam Targets Google Job Applicants

Websense Security Labs 'ThreatSeeker Network' has detected an ongoing scam which is sending malicious e-mails apparently from Google in responses to job applications.

The spam mail begins with the acknowledgement of recipient's resume after which it thanks him for showing his interest in joining Google. The e-mail also explains that Google staff members will assess the resume and if they find matching vacancy in the company, they will revert to the recipient.

According to Websense, if the recipient didn't apply Google for work, then he should understand that the e-mail is a fake. Another thing that raises suspicion about the e-mail is its attachment that contains both .zip and .exe extensions.

The e-mails appear extremely well-written as well as convincing by spoofing scrapes of Google's real job application replies. Generally, unsolicited spam mails have spelling mistakes and grammatical errors that clearly suggest that the messages are unauthorized while the errors act like red flags. However, these e-mails' texts are flawless, lending them a professional and convincing touch, particularly if the targeted person is a genuine applicant for Google job.

Ironically, all efforts are put to create clean-looking e-mails, but the scam becomes evident via an easily detected deceitful name, which tries to pose as a legitimate file type.

According to Websense, the e-mail attachment (malevolent payload) hasn't been caught the notice of most anti-malware software.

Job related online scams are common on Internet, but they have increased in number along with a multiplicity of victims since the global recession. Cyber criminals have been targeting vulnerable people and the problems of law enforcement to track down the miscreants have emboldened the crooks as they chase job-seekers much more vigorously now.

The security experts have explained that authorities can perform no more than documenting incidents. Hunting down culprits is nearly impossible as cyber criminals use proxy domains and networks, causing an un-ending scale of jurisdictional impediments.

Finally, Websense suggests that job-seekers should remain utterly cautious while browsing through recruitment sites so they don't become victims of scam.

Related article: Fake Spam Mail Announces Australian PM’s Heart Attack

» SPAMfighter News - 2/9/2010