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.
Related articles
Booking.com Security Overlooked Fake Downing Street Listing in Which? Fraud Test
Researchers from Which? successfully listed a fake apartment at 10 Downing Street on Booking.com to test the platform's fraud defenses. The listing included the exact address, photos of the UK Prime Minister's residence, and a description of a one-bedroom property near Parliament. Booking.com processed a payment for a week-long stay and failed to refund it even after more than six weeks. A fabricated positive review mentioning the official cat Larry was approved almost instantly. The platform also permitted a phishing link sent through its internal chat system asking for credit card details. The listing remained active from June 18 until its removal on August 27, prompting Which? to call for an Ofcom investigation into Booking.com's systemic security failures.
Password Spraying Campaign Targets AWS Root Accounts in Over 150 Organizations
A password spraying campaign targeted AWS root accounts across more than 150 organizations between July 24 and August 23, 2026. Attackers performed repeated login attempts against identities holding maximum privileges in the cloud environment. The root account is created with every AWS account and grants full access to resources, configurations, billing, and sensitive administrative functions. Researchers observed a median of two attempts per organization, with some targets receiving up to eight attempts. No successful authentications linked to the campaign have been identified so far. The attacks leveraged distributed proxies across multiple countries and networks, including hosting infrastructure and residential proxies, while using user agents that mimicked older versions of Microsoft Edge and Firefox. Since June 2025, AWS has required MFA for root users, significantly raising the bar for account takeover even if a password is discovered.
Unsolicited iPhone 15 Pro Max Delivery to Reddit User Sparks Fears of Targeted Cyber Attack
A Reddit user received an unexpected iPhone 15 Pro Max in a sealed box that was never ordered. Apple’s service identified the serial number as belonging to a device purchased or activated in December 2023, with its warranty already expired in 2024, creating a clear mismatch between the new-looking packaging and the device’s documented history. The included FedEx label contained a tracking number that does not exist in the carrier’s system. Discussion on the platform raised the possibility of a targeted attack, potentially a form of whaling, in which the phone could have been pre-modified to steal data or credentials once connected to a network or Apple ID. No concrete evidence confirms the package originated from an attacker, and alternative explanations such as a delivery error or order fraud remain possible. Experts recommend that recipients avoid powering on the device, inserting a SIM card, or entering any account credentials, and instead consider returning it to Apple for inspection or disposing of it as electronic waste.
Scammers Embed Phishing Inside Telegram Mini Apps After August Update
Cybercriminals are increasingly abusing Telegram's Mini Apps and WebView features to deliver phishing attacks that mimic legitimate banking, payment, and cryptocurrency services. Following the platform update on August 25, attackers can now present fake interfaces for transfers, airdrops, and voting systems directly inside the messenger. Victims are tricked into entering confirmation codes, connecting wallets, or pasting commands into PowerShell under the guise of fixing errors or claiming bonuses. The attacks rely heavily on social engineering rather than automated malware, requiring users to actively authorize actions such as signing transactions or providing phone verification details. Fake voting schemes are used to harvest account credentials, while crypto-related lures prompt users to link wallets to malicious services. Experts emphasize that simply opening a Mini App does not lead to immediate theft, but authorizing or connecting assets does expose users to significant risk.