Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [25.01.2025]: 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. HPZ Token Scam: ED Seizes Rs 500 Crore from Paytm, Razorpay, and Other Payment Gateways
The ED froze Rs 500 crore from payment gateways like Razorpay and Paytm in the Rs 2,200 crore HPZ Token scam linked to Chinese nationals. The scam involved fake cryptocurrency mining investments. Another was declared an economic offender, enabling asset confiscation worth Rs 497 crore. Funds were laundered via shell companies and hawala.
2. Cyber Fraud Costs 3 Silk City Residents Rs 16.8 Lakh
Three Silk City residents lost Rs 16.82 lakh to cyber fraud. Cases were filed at the cyber police and Baidyanathpur stations. Victims included a man scammed of Rs 13.45 lakh via an online friendship, another losing Rs 2 lakh through debit card fraud, and one losing Rs 1.38 lakh while attempting an online loan.
3. Noida Police Arrest 4 for Rs 26 Lakh WhatsApp Fraud
Noida Police arrested four, including a woman, for duping people of Rs 26.11 lakh via WhatsApp investment scams. The accused lured victims with initial profits and gained phone access through APK files to siphon funds. Police froze Rs 6.34 lakh of the victim’s money. Complaints span multiple states across India.
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4. CBI Cracks Down on Organized Cybercrime, Books 7 Accused
The CBI registered a case against seven individuals for running organized cybercrime modules, defrauding victims of Rs 350 crore via Ponzi schemes and cryptocurrency scams. Searches across seven states uncovered Rs 34 lakh cash, digital evidence, and crypto assets. The accused laundered funds through crypto wallets and unregulated schemes.
5. Odisha Crime Branch Arrests 2 in MP for Digital Fraud and Investment Scam
The Odisha Crime Branch arrested two accused, for digital frauds involving Rs 1.06 crore and Rs 2.58 crore, respectively. Victims were duped via fake courier claims and fraudulent stock investments. Investigators traced funds across states, arresting multiple suspects. Both cases revealed a nationwide cyber fraud network.
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6. BreachForums Admin to Be Resentenced After Appeals Court Criticises Lenient Sentence
Conor Fitzpatrick, founder of the cybercrime platform BreachForums, will be resentenced after a U.S. appeals court overturned a district ruling that sentenced him to just 17 days in prison. The decision followed controversy over the lenient punishment for his role in facilitating cybercrime activities through the notorious platform.
7. US Charges Five in North Korean IT Worker Recruitment Scam
The US charged five individuals, including two North Koreans, for a scheme hiring North Korean IT workers under fake identities. The operation funneled over $866,000 to North Korea, funding its military programs. Using “laptop farms” and fraudulent documents, the group duped 64 US companies. Arrests were made in the US and Netherlands.
8. China Claims Progress in Crackdown on Tech Support Cyber-Scam Slave Camps
The Lancang-Mekong law enforcement group, comprising six Asian nations, claims progress in dismantling cyber-scam slave camps. In 2024, 70,000 suspects were arrested, and 160 victims freed. The camps exploit workers through forced labor and scams, with operations continuing in Myanmar’s border regions despite ongoing international efforts to shut them down.
9. Cyber Attack Targets Game Developer Big Cheese Studio, PAP Reports
Polish game developer Big Cheese Studio confirmed a hacker attack early Friday, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP). The company’s management is assessing the breach’s impact, though specific details about the attack and its potential consequences have not yet been disclosed. Investigations are currently underway.
10. Hackers Deploy XWorm RAT to Exploit Script Kiddies, Compromising 18,000 Devices
CloudSEK uncovered a global malware campaign using a Trojanized XWorm RAT builder, compromising 18,459 devices. Distributed via file-sharing services, GitHub, Telegram, and YouTube, the malware stole browser credentials, Discord tokens, and system data. Advanced features included command execution and Telegram-based control. Researchers disrupted operations using a “kill switch.”