The Top Ten cyber crime news summaries on The420 are meticulously curated by Future Crime Researchers from the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF) and powered by Algoritha Security Pvt. Ltd. These summaries feature the most critical cyber crime developments from around the world. Keep reading and stay safe.
1. Fraud and Sexual Exploitation Account for 70% of Cybercrime in Meghalaya
Meghalaya police reported that nearly 70% of cybercrime cases in the state are linked to financial fraud and sexual exploitation. Officials highlighted growing misuse of social media and digital platforms. Authorities are stepping up awareness drives and strengthening cyber policing to curb rising digital crimes targeting vulnerable citizens.
2. Kerala Cyber Police Freeze 70,000 Bank Accounts; Fewer Than 5,000 Reactivation Requests Filed
Kerala cyber police froze 70,000 bank accounts suspected of being linked to fraud and scams. So far, fewer than 5,000 account holders have applied for reactivation. Officials said the crackdown was necessary to disrupt cybercrime networks and urged legitimate users to complete verification processes to restore access.
FCRF Launches CCLP Program to Train India’s Next Generation of Cyber Law Practitioners
3. Bengaluru Engineer and Firm Employee Lose ₹2.28 Crore in Trading Scam
A Bengaluru-based engineer and a private firm employee were duped of ₹2.28 crore in a fraudulent online trading scheme. Police said the victims were lured through manipulated apps promising high returns. The fraud highlights the growing menace of trading scams targeting urban professionals seeking quick profits.
4. Ahmedabad Woman Defrauded of ₹11 Lakh in Fake ‘RTO E-Challan’ Cyber Fraud
An Ahmedabad woman lost ₹11 lakh after falling victim to a cyber fraud involving a fake ‘RTO e-challan.’ Fraudsters impersonated transport officials and tricked her into transferring funds under false legal threats. Police registered a case and warned citizens against responding to unsolicited messages demanding payments.
5. Retired IAF Officer Cheated of ₹1.5 Crore in Online Fraud Case
A retired Indian Air Force officer was defrauded of ₹1.5 crore in an elaborate online scam. Police said the fraudsters exploited his trust through fake investment offers. Authorities are investigating the money trail and urged senior citizens to remain cautious, as retired professionals are increasingly targeted in cyber frauds.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Hackers Claim Breach of 28,000 Red Hat Repositories, Alleging Theft of Customer Data
Cybercriminals claimed responsibility for raiding 28,000 Red Hat repositories, alleging access to sensitive customer files. Red Hat is investigating the claims, though authenticity remains unverified. Security experts warned the breach, if confirmed, could impact enterprise clients globally and highlights growing threats to open-source software supply chains.
7. Clop-Linked Cybercriminals Target Oracle Executives in Data Theft Extortion Scheme
Cybercriminals linked to the Clop ransomware group allegedly targeted Oracle executives with threats of exposing stolen corporate data. The group, known for large-scale extortion campaigns, has intensified pressure tactics against multinational firms. Investigators are assessing the validity of the claims while Oracle has yet to confirm any data compromise.
NIELIT (MeitY) and FCRF Sign MoU to Strengthen India’s Cybersecurity Skilling
8. China Sentences 11 Syndicate Leaders to Death Over Myanmar Scam Ring
A Chinese court sentenced 11 crime syndicate leaders to death for running a massive scam ring in northern Myanmar. The syndicate was accused of trafficking victims into cyber slavery and forcing them to carry out online fraud. The verdict reflects Beijing’s crackdown on cross-border organized cybercrime operations.
9. Subpoena Tracking Platform Outage Attributed to AWS Social Engineering Attack
A subpoena tracking platform blamed a major outage on a social engineering attack exploiting AWS accounts. Hackers allegedly manipulated credentials to disable access, disrupting services for legal professionals. The incident underscores vulnerabilities in cloud security and highlights the risks of social engineering in compromising enterprise cloud infrastructure.
10. Indonesia Arrests Alleged ‘Bjorka’ Hacker Accused of Breaching 4.9 Million Bank Accounts
Indonesian authorities arrested a suspect believed to be the hacker “Bjorka,” accused of breaching 4.9 million bank accounts. The high-profile hacker had previously leaked sensitive government and corporate data. Officials said the arrest marks a significant breakthrough in curbing cybercrime that has rattled Indonesia’s digital security landscape.
