Cyber Crime
Top 10 Technology Crimes From Around The World [21.04.2024] Compiled By Futurecrime Researchers
1.Spotting Romance Scammers Utilizing AI-Generated Deepfake :The “Yahoo Boys,” a Nigerian online crime group, employ fake personas to scam victims, with losses reaching $650 million in 2021, according to the FBI. Utilizing AI-generated deepfakes, they deceive victims in video calls and clips, with recent cases totaling $25 million in losses. In February, a Salt Lake City jury indicted seven Nigerian members for laundering $8 million from romance scams. Victims, often older individuals, lose life savings and inheritances. Kate Kleinert, a widow, lost $39,000. As scams evolve, experts warn of deepfake sophistication, emphasizing vigilance against technologically enhanced deception.
2. Montreal Resident Duped by Complex Crypto Scam Tied to False Elon Musk Connection: Anonymous woman lured by Elon Musk video promoting a fake trading platform, loses $25,000. Broker associated with platform contacts her, promising financial improvement. Withdrawal attempts met with demands for fees, plunging her into further debt. Investment fraud rampant in Canada, with reported losses of $314 million in 2023, particularly from cryptocurrency schemes. Deepfake technology suspected in scam, urging skepticism towards online content. Tech analyst advises using registered trading platforms and verifying URLs to avoid scams.
3.Greece Busts Phone Scam Ring, Nine Arrested: Greek police arrest nine individuals in Serres for running a phone scam ring, defrauding victims of 305,789 euros. The suspects posed as accountants or buyers, tricking targets into revealing bank details. Stolen funds were transferred to recruited fronts’ accounts. Phone scams are a growing issue globally. Police advise caution, urging people to avoid sharing personal or financial details over the phone. Tips include verifying caller legitimacy and reporting suspicious calls to authorities. The suspects are in custody pending court appearances, following a thorough police investigation.
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4.Nigeria’s Cybercrime Reforms Pose Risks for Journalist: Nigerian journalist Saint Mienpamo Onitsha arrested under Cybercrimes Act for reporting on Niger Delta tensions. At least 25 journalists prosecuted under the law, prompting calls for reform. Senate proposed amendments in November; President Bola Tinubu signed changes in February. Amendments include revisions to cyberstalking section, yet concerns persist over potential misuse by authorities. Khadijah El-Usman of Paradigm Initiative acknowledges improvements but highlights remaining risks for journalists. Previous version of law criminalized sending offensive or false messages online, leading to subjective interpretation and potential jail time for reporters
5. My Ordeal: Cyber Slavery in Myanmar: Trapped in a Myanmar jungle, Ravi endured torture after refusing to partake in romance scams targeting wealthy men. Forced to work up to 22 hours a day, he and others targeted victims using stolen numbers and explicit photos. When disobedient, beatings ensued. After six months, a confrontation led to a fight, prompting a “last chance” offer from the gang leader. With his body paralyzed from torture, Ravi paid a ransom of $2,650 borrowed from his parents to escape. Now back in Sri Lanka, burdened with debt, he toils in a garage, his marital bliss overshadowed by financial woes.
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6.1 in 5 Young Adults Fall Prey to Financial Scams, Survey Reveals: A UK survey by Marcus by Goldman Sachs reveals that 22% of 18 to 34-year-olds have experienced financial fraud, compared to 12% of 35 to 54-year-olds and 10% of over-55s. Despite 55% of younger adults considering themselves tech-savvy, 21% struggle to think clearly during cold calls, and 48% act impulsively on apparent good deals. Sixty-four percent regret decisions made under strain, and 60% find it harder to detect scams now than five years ago. SAS star Jason Fox advises caution under pressure, while Marcus by Goldman Sachs stresses vigilance against various scam tactics, including phishing and impersonation.
7.Beware: WhatsApp Scam Offers Rs 150 for Liking YouTube Videos :WhatsApp users targeted by international spam calls offering work-from-home schemes. Vedant G. shares scam encounter involving YouTube video likes and Telegram tasks. Scammers lure victims with initial payments, then request money with false promises of returns. Some duped into sending funds before being kicked out of groups. WhatsApp advises caution, encourages reporting and blocking of suspicious numbers. In-app spam detection and grievance officer support available. Truecaller integration planned to combat spam numbers. Users urged to remain vigilant against rising scam attempts
8. Seven Million DNA Profiles Hacked: The Perplexing Potential Actions of Hackers: Initial reports suggested 1 million accounts accessed, but now 6.9 million 23andMe customers affected. Leaked data indicates high-profile users like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. The breach was not a hack but a ‘credential stuffing’ attack, targeting individual users. Genetic data wasn’t taken; instead, personal info like names and geographic ancestry was accessed. Cybersecurity experts suggest hackers could use this for targeted scams. While genetic information’s current value is unclear, concerns arise over future misuse, including in insurance or personal relationships. Protection exists against DNA hacking, but implications for privacy and discrimination remain significant.
9. Nigeria Ranked Among Top 10 Global Cybercrime Hotspots: A report by researchers from Oxford University and UNSW Canberra identified major cybercrime hotspots globally. Experts ranked nations based on cybercrime categories like technical products/services, attacks, data/identity theft, scams, and money laundering. The survey gauged impact, professionalism, and technical skills of offenders. Dr. Jonathan Lusthaus, one of the authors, highlighted the challenge of mapping cybercriminals due to their illicit and anonymous activities. The study relied on insights from professionals tracking cyber offenders, as technical data is unreliable. Cybercriminals hide and use global internet infrastructure for attacks, making tracking difficult. The report aims to provide insights into the origins of cybercrime.
10. Malaysian Police Alert Public to QR Code Scam Tactics: Malaysian Police Warn of QR Code Scam: Criminals Distribute Gifts with QR Codes, Promising Cash Vouchers in Return for Banking Information. Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, Head of Commercial Crime Investigation, Alerts Public to New Phishing Scam. No Police Reports Yet, Suggesting Few Victims. Also, Beware of SMS Scams Impersonating Telco Companies like Maxis, Celcom, and Digi. Malaysians Urged to Exercise Caution and Skepticism Towards Unsolicited Rewards.