iPad

Scammers Pose as Employers to Remotely Lock iPhones and Demand Ransom

Russian police have warned of a new social engineering scheme in which fraudsters impersonate potential employers to gain control of victims' Apple devices. The attackers instruct targets to sign out of their personal Apple accounts and authenticate using credentials supplied by the supposed employer. Once the device links to the fraudster's account, the scammers can remotely lock the iPhone or iPad and demand payment for unlocking it. Authorities emphasize that paying the ransom does not guarantee recovery of the device and may lead to further extortion demands. Victims are advised never to enter third-party Apple credentials on personal hardware and to contact Apple Support with proof of purchase if a device is already locked. The scheme exploits the Find My and Activation Lock features built into iOS devices.