I expect some people are so desperate to please that they will hand over any information.

For those that don't understand why an external recruiter is asking for that detail they are trying to find new clients to sell their services to.

They'll frame it as not wanting to waste anybody's time by submitting you as a candidate if you're already mid-flight on other positions, but they can still figure that out without having specifics on the actual company, role, salary, etc.

They're banking on you offering it because saying no would rule out any mysterious prospects they have to offer, but really they're looking for new leads and if it comes from a candidate then it's warmer. Just have to be polite when you give them vague info and say you're not able to share more than that.

Sounds like a shameless attempt at market research.