Job hunters should be wary of money-earning opportunities
offered on the internet as they are likely to be linked to
cybercrime, says UK internet safety group.
Cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated techniques
to recruit people to become unwitting "money mules" to receive and
forward stolen funds, according to
GetSafeOnline.
These methods include making use of legitimate channels,
including mainstream recruitment websites, to mislead people into
thinking they are applying for genuine jobs such as shipping
managers, financial managers or money transfer agents.
Some cybercriminals even issue official-looking employment
contracts, said GetSafeOnline.
"The consequence is that they end up liable for all the criminal
funds they have received," said Sharon Lemon, deputy director of
e-crime at the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and chair of
the GetSafeOnline steering committee.
At any given time there are approximately 100 mule recruitment
sites targeting the UK, said
Tony Neate, managing director of GetSafeOnline.
While 39% of UK users search for jobs online, 90% have never
heard of the term "money mule", according to research by
GetSafeOnline.
Some 14% of UK internet users have been approached online with a
job offer they have not applied for, the research revealed.
"With many people looking for ways to earn money during the
recession, it is critical that people learn to spot the warning
signs to avoid becoming a victim," said Neate.
Mule recruitment scams are among the key threats to be
highlighted at the annual GetSafeOnline Summit to mark the start of
the fifth annual GetSafeOnline Awareness week, 16-20 November.