[ by Melanie Gretchen ] JOB SEEKERS, BEWARE!  While it should come as no surprise that many job postings on the Internet are either not available or simply are fictitious, it's commonly presumed that such entries were posted by head hunters or recruiters simply trying to gather as many resumes as possible.  THINK AGAIN. Internet scammers, who have little or no interest in filling potential job openings, have entered the picture, BIG TIME.  And, of course their sole objective is to capture confidential personal data of out-of-work job seekers. Take, For Example, www.JobCentral2.net. This site, which has been taken down, carried thousands of job listings - all for nonexistent positions.  Nevertheless, enough unsuspecting job seekers applied for these positions, and provided whatever personal information was requested of them. In every instance, the scammers were able to steal identities of the applicants.  According to Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., scammers like Petr Murmylyuk, 31, a Russian citizen living in Brooklyn, targeted unemployed individuals because they were easy prey.

[C-I Note: To understand how scammers used these stolen identities, click on the link and read our 4/26/12 posting in What Went Wrong, "Identity Theft Leads to Unusual Type of Fraud."]

Phishing for Confidential Personal Data. "Phishing" for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and other personal information under various pretenses has become easier under the anonymity of the Internet.  Many scammers sell the stolen information to third parties, who then create fictitious credit cards or tap into personal bank or brokerage accounts.  The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network, however, points to another use - the filing of fraudulent government documents, oftentimes to collect others' benefits. Preying on the Weak. Murmylyuk knew that government-sponsored job placement and financial aid services were available and would likely peak the interest of out-of-work and low-income individuals.  Such individuals surf internet site in desperation and, upon finding offers of government assistance and attractive job opportunities will throw often "threw caution to the wind" and apply - after all, what do they have to lose?  Plenty, if they have reached the site operated by the likes of Murmylyuk, also known as Dmitry Tokar. One of his most effective ways of connecting to his victims was through emails that provided links to his fake Web site - often through legitimate job search forums and college electronic mailing lists, according to federal prosecutors. Final Word of Caution. Whether you or someone you know is looking for a job - now or in the future - one must heed the warnings in this post.  The element of risk to applicants has never been greater. For further details, go to [NYTimes, 4/17/12].