14 DAY TRIAL // In times where global economies are highly unstable and the search for a job can be a job itself, cybercriminals increase the numbers of 'easy money making' offers which promise fabulous earning in return of a few clicks.
Bitdefender researchers came across a series of emails that promise between $500 (350 EUR) and $1,200 (840 EUR) for a week of work.
Bearing the subject “This thing changed my life,” the message's body doesn't say much except that the sender “can't imagine doing anything else ever again.”
Once the link in the email is clicked, the user is taken to a well-designed website that again replicates the Finance section of a popular newspaper. This is not the first time we see this, but it's good for internauts to be aware of every new scheme that starts hitting inboxes.
The scam works in three easy steps. First the victim is required to fill a form with some information such as name, phone number and email address.
Then, to obtain the job that requires no experience or studies and only a computer with an internet connection, the unsuspecting user is asked to pay a promotional fee of only $5 (3.5 EUR), instead the regular $40 (28 EUR).
Unlike other such scams, in this case, if the victim decides to access the page a second time, he is informed that the deal expired since he didn't accept to pay the first time. Well, he can still enroll, but for four times the initial amount.
To make it even more realistic, the payment page is certified by a valid digital certificate, which means that crooks are developing new methods of selling their fake offers.
Easy money advertisements are never real, even if they seem to be hosted on legitimate news websites or if they come with legitimate certificates. Make sure not to fall for these scams as you'll only fill the crooks' pockets instead of your own.