Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [16.10.2024]: 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. Punjab Police Introduce ‘Cyber Mittar’ Chatbot to Assist with Cyber Crime Queries
Punjab Police launched the ‘Cyber Mittar’ chatbot to assist with cybercrime queries, announced by DGP Gaurav Yadav. The chatbot offers 24/7 support, helping citizens report cybercrime and financial fraud in real-time. With advanced software and trained personnel, Punjab’s Cyber Crime Cell ensures swift action and enhanced digital safety for all.
2. Rashmika Mandanna Becomes Ambassador for India’s Cyber Crime Awareness Campaign
Rashmika Mandanna has been appointed brand ambassador for the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination (I4C) initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs. After being targeted in a deepfake video, she pledged to raise awareness about cybercrime. As I4C’s ambassador, she aims to educate the public on staying vigilant and safe online.
3. Bengaluru Cyber Crime Police Arrest 8, Including Axis Bank Manager, in Rs97-Crore Stock Market Fraud
Bengaluru cybercrime police arrested eight people, including an Axis Bank manager and his sales team, for aiding a Rs97 crore online trading scam. The gang opened mule accounts to facilitate fraud. Following a businessman’s complaint, police traced the transactions, recovering ₹28 lakh and freezing accounts. The kingpin operates from Dubai.
4. Gurugram: Youth Extorted Rs1.20 Lakh After Obscene Video Call on Instagram
In Gurugram, a youth named Harish Madhwani was extorted Rs1.20 lakh after receiving an obscene video call on Instagram. The caller recorded the call and threatened to share it publicly unless paid. Police have registered an FIR and are working to identify and arrest the culprits.
ALSO READ: GST Scam: Key Arrest in Punjab’s Rs 200 Crore Fake Billing Operation, Jalandhar Scrap Links
5. Man Loses Rs20.35 Lakh in Work-From-Home Job Scam
A 39-year-old private employee from Hyderabad fell victim to a Rs20.35 lakh work-from-home scam. Promising easy money for liking and sharing Instagram videos, scammers operating via WhatsApp and Telegram lured him with offers of Rs150 per like and potential daily earnings of Rs5,000.
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6. Surge in Global Digital Scams Creates a Billion-Dollar Criminal Enterprise
The digital age has fueled a surge in global cybercrime, with scam factories in Cambodia and Myanmar playing a central role. These criminal hubs, often run by trafficked workers, execute romance frauds, investment scams, and cryptocurrency schemes, generating billions annually. Human trafficking and geopolitical instability intensify this growing threat.
7. Authorities Shut Down Dark Web Marketplaces Sipulitie and Tsätti
Finnish Customs and Swedish Police, with international support, shut down dark web marketplaces Sipulitie and Tsätti, key platforms for anonymous narcotics trading. The operation identified key individuals involved, including the administrator and moderators. Collaboration with cybersecurity firm Bitdefender was crucial in dismantling these illicit online networks.
8. Cyber Envoy Andrew Charlton Aims to Eliminate Australia’s ‘Digital Freeze’
Australia’s cybersecurity envoy, Andrew Charlton, warns that a “digital chill” is hurting productivity as businesses hesitate to engage online. He calls for a global consensus on cyber threats, likening it to the G20’s response to the financial crisis. Australia experiences a cyber incident every six minutes, with many unreported.
9. New Zealand Steps Up Efforts Against Cybercrime
New Zealand is ramping up its fight against cybercrime, with the first reading of new legislation following reports that 11% of Kiwis were victims in 2023. By joining the Budapest Convention, the country aims to enhance cooperation on cybercrime investigations and strengthen domestic laws for effective law enforcement.
10. Microsoft: Russia and China Employ Cybercriminals to Attack the U.S.
A Microsoft report reveals that Russia, China, and Iran are increasingly using criminal networks for cyberespionage against perceived enemies like the U.S. This trend blurs the line between state and criminal activities, enabling governments to enhance cyber capabilities while hackers profit, as seen in attacks on Israeli and Ukrainian targets.