The QuantumFilament hackers, or one of their customers, post fake job, real estate and car ads to Craigslist. These advertisements have the following common characteristics:
- Target audience is in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania or Washington, DC
- Contains no hyperlink and no specific reply instructions
- Registers with Hotmail or Yahoo e-mail addresses
- 16 of the 20 unique Hotmail addresses ended in four digits
- All Craigslist passwords were 10 characters in length, all lowercase, seemingly random letters
Many ads appear to be copies of ads from legitimate companies. The fake ad poster periodically logged into the associated webmail accounts to check for replies to his fake Craigslist ads. In the instances in which this could be verified, no replies were ever sent by the fake ad poster. The poster simply received whatever replies he could get, the replies often including personal information and resumes. I hypothesize whatever personal information is volunteered by responders is reviewed for information that could be sold or exploited in the dark web, such as phone numbers, e-mail addresses, postal addresses, and identity information.
| Date | Title | Notes | Craigslist registration | Craigslist password |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-08-19 | .NET custom Developer,SSRS Report Developer | sherillsxmehtalahh9353@hotmail.com | huwreslouc | |
| 2015-08-20 | Full-Time Product Specialist – Worcester, PA | A position at Grainger Industrial Supply, a real Fortune 500 company | karenfwmontemaranomb9197@hotmail.com | wriwriamou |
| 2015-08-21 | Accountant / Office Admin | mitsukomashack5872@hotmail.com | ueagaijeac | |
| 2015-08-21 | Executive Assistant | sherillsxmehtalahh9353@hotmail.com | huwreslouc | |
| 2015-08-22 | Microsoft Office Specialist/Quickbooks Instructor – PT | A position at ASI Career Institute, a real organization | sabrartgroverce1616@hotmail.com | wraiheathu |
| 2015-08-24 | Automotive Dealership Cashier | karenfwmontemaranomb9197@hotmail.com | wriwriamou | |
| 2015-08-25 | Dining Services Captain | sabrartgroverce1616@hotmail.com | wraiheathu | |
| 2015-08-25 | Financial Crimes Lead | A position at Barclaycard US, a large financial institution | stefaniozwilkinsib0764@hotmail.com | sofraicrio |
| 2015-08-27 | Kitchen Manager | A position at Del Frisco’s Grille, a restaurant chain with 22 locations nationwide | karenfwmontemaranomb9197@hotmail.com | wriwriamou |
| 2015-08-28 | Client Services Specialist | A position at Survivors, Inc., in Gettysburg, PA | herminekemarzulloxn0378@hotmail.com | kianicifri |
| 2015-08-28 | Administrative Assistant I – Immediate | mitsukomashack5872@hotmail.com | ueagaijeac | |
| 2015-08-28 | Spacious 1br Apartment, New Floor, Fresh Paint | andrastaines4612@hotmail.com | uaegurioth | |
| 2015-08-31 | Legal Secretary-Northern Virginia | mitsukomashack5872@hotmail.com | ueagaijeac | |
| 2015-09-01 | Front Desk Coordinator | tereseriversa0689@hotmail.com | roclaithou | |
| 2015-09-02 | CamRY SHiFtKSh 2000 toYotA | eveleenmonari@yahoo.com | ||
| 2015-09-04 | Renovated Home For Rent/lease, A Quiet Community | okskerlp0141@hotmail.com | frephaecri | |
| 2015-09-04 | Interior Specialist Sales Associate’s – Part Time | A position at Arhaus Furniture, a real furniture store chain | tomokowzmegeryz9314@hotmail.com | lotastiowr |
| 2015-09-04 | NICEgPrp HoNDa ciVIC LX 2005 | franceesbootyr@hotmail.com | ||
| 2015-09-04 | woRkSzCqAc CamrY 2000 sILVEr TOYotA | pettifordbaimazz@hotmail.com | ||
| 2015-09-06 | Automotive Sales Consultant – Auto Sales Representative | A position at Frankel, a chain of car dealerships in Maryland | anniesouffrontf2260@hotmail.com | slacihaica |
| 2015-09-06 | 20oo ford ranger lOwEUaXo | moritaxaviararx@hotmail.com | ||
| 2015-09-06 | 98 jeep grand cherokee ownErzSoIT | unraudefilippolw@hotmail.com | ||
| 2015-09-06 | Administrative Support Specialist Needed! | delphinevotrumbovoh5087@hotmail.com | ||
| 2015-09-06 | Senior Meeting Planner | tereseriversa0689@hotmail.com | roclaithou | |
| 2015-09-07 | Safe and quiet neighborhood, comprehensive list or homes | jerryzmmullinaxse4049@hotmail.com | jadaprouha | |
| 2015-09-08 | Assisted Living Administrator | A position at Asbury Methodist Community, a retirement community in Maryland | mirnacastronovo8246@hotmail.com | pheacaeuou |
| 2015-09-11 | Payroll Specialist | A position at paychex, Inc., a real company | ossieotdelmonacogh5782@hotmail.com | hiolabuvod |
| 2015-09-12 | Dining Server | A position at Brightview Senior Living, a retirement community | tomokowzmegeryz9314@hotmail.com | lotastiowr |
| 2015-09-12 | Technician / Automotive Mechanic | A position at Mercedes Benz of Owings Mills, Maryland | moriahdrsherrickib6713@hotmail.com | gelouuouci |
| 2015-09-13 | Finance & Insurance Manager / Automotive Finance Manager | A position at MileOne, Herb Gordon Volvo Subaru, a car dealership in Maryland | mirnacastronovo8246@hotmail.com | pheacaeuou |
QuantumFilament 