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. Maharashtra Cyber Freezes Rs 90 Lakh in Online Scam Probe
Prompt action by Maharashtra Cyber prevented Rs 90 lakh from reaching cyber fraudsters after a travel agency accountant in Bhiwandi fell for a whale phishing scam. The amount was frozen following swift coordination with banks. In 48 hours, Maharashtra Cyber froze Rs 1.47 crore in five such cases, showcasing rapid cybercrime response.
2. Assam Police Bust Cyber Fraud Gang, Seize 68 ATM Cards
Tinsukia Police arrested four cyber fraudsters, including three from Chhattisgarh, involved in financial scams and interstate online betting. Led by ASP (HQ), the raid yielded 68 ATM cards and digital devices. The accused confessed to providing mule accounts. Investigations continue, with more arrests and links to wider fraud networks expected.
3. Software Engineer Duped in Online Fraud Case
A software engineer in Indore was duped of Rs 8 lakh after fraudsters digitally “arrested” her for three hours, posing as FedEx and law enforcement officials. They forced her to take a Rs 16 lakh loan. Her father’s timely intervention saved the rest. A case has been registered under BNS provisions.
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4. Guntur-Based Trio Held in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police arrested three men from Guntur for a ‘digital arrest’ scam that duped a victim of Rs 3.57 lakh. The gang posed as police and forced victims into Skype calls. Linked to similar cases nationwide, they used social media to extort money. Devices, cards, and documents were seized.
5. Kazakh National Among 3 Held for Trafficking to Cyber Crime Hubs
Goa Police arrested Kazakh national and two Indian associates for luring Indians into cybercrime jobs in Thailand. One was caught at Delhi airport while fleeing. The unregistered agency, another, conducted fake overseas job interviews via Zoom, recruiting victims for forced financial frauds using platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat.
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6. Morphing Meerkat Phishing Kit Exploits DNS to Impersonate 100+ Brands
Infoblox has uncovered a phishing-as-a-service platform, “Morphing Meerkat,” exploiting DNS MX records and open redirects to spoof over 100 brands. Active since 2020, it delivers dynamic, localized phishing pages via spam, evading detection. The operation uses advanced cloaking, translation, and anti-analysis tactics, posing a major threat to global cybersecurity.
7. Advanced Fined Nearly $4M Over LockBit Ransomware Attack
The UK’s ICO has fined Advanced Computer Software Group $3.95 million for failing to prevent a 2022 LockBit ransomware attack that exposed data of 79,404 people. Despite cooperation with authorities, the breach revealed inadequate multi-factor authentication. It’s the ICO’s largest fine in two years and sixth largest overall.
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8. Kagame Directs New RIB Chief to Prioritize Cyber and Economic Crimes
Rwandan President Paul Kagame urged newly appointed RIB Secretary General Col. Pacifique Kabanda to strengthen efforts against cyber, economic, and cross-border crimes. Emphasizing integrity, technology adoption, and inter-agency cooperation, Kagame highlighted rising fraud threats. Kabanda, former RDF Chief Prosecutor, is the second to lead RIB since its 2018 formation.
9. New ‘Lucid’ Phishing Tool Bypasses Security via iMessage and Android RCS
A new phishing platform, “Lucid,” exploits Apple’s iMessage and Android’s RCS to bypass SMS filters using end-to-end encryption. Linked to Chinese-speaking group “XinXin,” Lucid targets 88 countries, impersonating 169 entities. With a 5% success rate, it poses a global cyber threat, stealing thousands of credit card details daily.
10. Microlise Posts Record Financials Despite Cyberattack Challenges
Despite a cyberattack in 2024, Microlise reported record financial results, with adjusted revenue rising to £81M and pre-tax profit up 16% to £6.5M. The attack, resolved in 2.5 weeks, caused no data loss or client exits. Microlise has since intensified its cybersecurity investments to strengthen protection.
