http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-06-22/how-some-companies-are-scamming-job-applicants
'Scenario Analysis' For a Free Consult
What we've found is that companies, unwilling to pay for an external consult, are increasingly using actual work project(s) (that they don't know how to deliver) packaged as 'scenario' or 'Case Study' in job interviews phishing for 'free' advise and insight from qualified industry veteran applicants. The hiring manager typically would ask for very specific info and/or 'work samples'. The applicants are usually only too eager to share thinking it'd mean certain advantage of landing the job.
Guess What? You Were Never Meant To Get The Job!
After spelling out how he/she delivered the exact same project described in the 'scenario' or 'case study', the applicant, in most cases, would not get the job. Why? Companies using this kind of tactic usually cannot afford or are unwilling to offer competitive compensation for top talents. The only reason these high-skilled (and most likely out of pay-range) applicants have even made it to the interview process (picked by the hiring manager) is so that the hiring manager could glean some useful knowledge from an industry veteran.