Scammers Pose as Employers to Remotely Lock iPhones and Demand Ransom
Russian law enforcement has identified a new fraud campaign in which scammers impersonate employers to seize control of Apple devices belonging to job seekers.
According to Vladimir Vasenin, head of the press service of the Moscow Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the attackers first offer the victim employment. They then request that the individual sign out of their personal Apple account and sign in using credentials provided by the supposed employer.
After authentication, the device becomes linked to the fraudster’s account. The attackers can then remotely activate Activation Lock, rendering the iPhone, iPad, or other Apple hardware unusable to its owner.
The criminals subsequently contact the victim, announce that the gadget is under their control, and demand payment for its release. Police stress that transferring funds does not ensure the device will be returned and may result in repeated extortion attempts.
Prevention and Response Recommendations
- Never sign out of your personal Apple account or enter credentials supplied by an employer, technical support representative, or any other party on a privately owned device.
- Legitimate companies do not require job applicants to bind personal hardware to an unknown account.
- If a device is already locked, do not pay any ransom. Instead, contact Apple Support with proof of purchase and file a police report.
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