Question about Morgan Stanley employment scam

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Sep 2012 Posts: 3

Found this and have a question. I'm pasting the article, 'cause the link may go away. The question is, How does the scammer get control of the 'applicant's' computer through Yahoo Instant Messenger? by sending infected files? and if that's the case, why doesn't the recipient's virus scanner pick up on it?

here is the article:

<b>Applying for job online can be risky</b>

By Dreama Jensen | Posted 13 hours ago

Should you apply for a job online, be cautious of those who want to conduct an online interview. We are aware of some such job applicants who have recently have been contacted by a woman identifying herself as a representative of Morgan Stanley Co.

After the interview is completed online for the job to be done at home, the applicant is told a check will be mailed for materials and software. The applicant is further instructed to deposit the check and then withdraw the money the following business day to purchase needed items from an approved vendor. The applicant is given a definite time to report back to the interviewer the next day via Yahoo Instant Messenger. At this time the applicant will be told there is a fee to pay. The applicant is to immediately purchase a Green Dot moneyp** card at a local convenience store. There is a scratch-off number on the back of the card which is to be emailed to the interviewer immediately after the card is purchased.

At this point, there has never been a personal conversation between the job applicant and the job interviewer; all has been done by electronic communication.

The sad ending to this situation is there was no job to be had. Morgan Stanley's name was falsely used to con applicants into thinking they were becoming employed by Morgan Stanley. In addition, a check for supplies was never sent, and the con artist immediately redeemed the money card after the applicant provided the numbers on the back. And last, the scammer gained access to the job applicant's computer when the interview was conducted via Yahoo Instant Messenger.

This is a scam in which scammers use job research websites to find their victims. They send a text to job applicants requesting an online interview through Yahoo Instant Messenger in order to gain access to applicant's computer and steal money.

This is one scam where there is never a verbal conversation between the con artists and their victims.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of being very cautious when using cash cards to make payments to strangers.

Once that number is given to someone else, the card is out of your control. It is the same as putting the green dollars in the hands of the recipient.

If you're suspicious, please check it out with the BBB at www.bbb.org, 800-552-4631 or 574-675-9351.

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 2:32 am

These scams don't always hijack computers. They aren't usually interested in computers, they want fast cash. This is a crime of persuasion, properly known as a social engineering attack. As such, AV is no defence. Where a computer is compromised, it is likely to be by persuading the owner to allow a remote desktop session or remote administration.

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