Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [01.06.2024]: Click here to Know More
Important global cybercrime news has been curated by Futurecrime Researchers to keep you informed about various types of digital fraud occurring worldwide and to provide insights into the best mitigation strategies. Read below to learn more in detail.
1. Saran takes lead in reimbursing cyber fraud victims
Saran district leads in combating cyber frauds, refunding Rs10 lakh to victims, while Muzaffarpur excels in arrests, with 14 in April, as per the Economic Offences Unit. Aurangabad also shows strong performance, recovering Rs4,03,680. Top districts include Saran, Aurangabad, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, and Saharsa.
2. Two college students detained for aiding cyber criminals in banking fraud scheme
Mumbai Cyber Police arrested college students Himanshu More and Prem Shewale for aiding Dubai- and China-based cybercriminals in bank fraud. They recruited locals to open bank accounts for Rs 5,000–Rs 10,000 each, used for fraudulent fund transfers totaling Rs 14.23 lakh. Authorities confiscated multiple debit cards, passbooks, and mobile phones.
3. Cyber Police Ganderbal cracks online money scam
The Cyber Cell in Ganderbal resolved an online money scam by recovering 16 smartphones worth lakhs, restoring hacked social media accounts, and refunding Rs 39,900 to a victim. They placed a hold on ₹6,20,000 and urged the public to avoid sharing personal information. The Cyber Cell addresses various online scams and can be contacted via online and offline channels.
4. Suspect arrested in cyberbullying case for sending sexually explicit content on Instagram
The Cyber Crime Police Station arrested Vinay, a 20-year-old student from Canacona, South Goa, for cyberbullying via Instagram. He sent obscene content under a fake profile, coercing the victim. Evidence was recovered, and his device will undergo forensic examination. Authorities advise caution when engaging with dubious online profiles.
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5. Man loses Rs 27 lakh in cyber scam
In Chandigarh, cyber fraudsters scammed Sector 38 resident Paramjeet Singh out of Rs 27 lakh through a fake online share trading WhatsApp group. Similarly, in Pune, two brothers lost Rs2.45 crore in an online trading scam via WhatsApp, leading to an FIR being lodged by the victim from Charholi Budruk.
INTERNATIONAL
6. A massive cyberattack disrupts over 600,000 routers in the U.S.
A cyber attack, codenamed Pumpkin Eclipse, rendered over 600,000 SOHO routers inoperable in the U.S. between October 25 and 27, 2023, affecting an ISP likely to be Windstream. The attack, involving the Chalubo remote access trojan, necessitated hardware replacements and disrupted 49% of the ISP’s modems.
7. Polish news agency likely targeted by Russian cyberattack, says minister
Poland’s state news agency PAP was likely hit by a Russian cyberattack, publishing a false article about military mobilization before European elections. Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski confirmed the incident is under investigation. Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted Russia’s destabilization strategy. The Russian embassy denied knowledge of the incident.
8. Threat actor breaches Snowflake database customers
A threat actor, UNC5537, breaches Snowflake customers using stolen credentials for data theft and extortion. Mitiga’s investigation reveals extensive activity originating from commercial VPN IP addresses. Snowflake responds, citing unauthorized account access since April. Lack of MFA or 2FA protection in targeted environments is a common vulnerability. Check Point also warns of similar attacks.
9. Victoria’s largest childcare organization reports data breach; ID document scans stolen
Guardian Childcare Victoria notifies staff of a breach where threat actors stole enrolment ID documents. No other data compromised. Authorities informed, and security measures reinforced. Affected individuals urged to replace IDs and remain vigilant against scams. While there is no evidence of misuse, ID documents are valuable for fraud. Further updates are pending.
10. Microsoft alerts to rise in cyber attacks on internet-exposed OT devices
Microsoft urges securing internet-exposed OT devices after multiple cyber attacks since late 2023. Attacks highlight the need for improved security to prevent tampering with critical industrial processes, risking malfunctions. OT systems often lack sufficient security, making them vulnerable to exploitation, especially when connected directly to the internet.