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. Thane Police Uncover Multi-Crore Ponzi Scam; Four Arrested
Thane police exposed a multi-crore Ponzi investment scam, arresting four individuals accused of defrauding hundreds with promises of high returns. The accused lured investors through social media and fake firms. Authorities are tracing money trails and urged citizens to verify financial schemes before investing in unregulated ventures.
2. Tech Professional Defrauded of ₹3.6 Crore in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
A Bengaluru-based tech professional lost ₹3.6 crore in a “digital arrest” fraud after cybercriminals impersonated law enforcement officers. The victim was coerced into transferring funds under fabricated charges. Police said such scams are escalating nationwide, using psychological intimidation to exploit fear and extract large sums from educated victims.
FCRF Launches CCLP Program to Train India’s Next Generation of Cyber Law Practitioners
3. Hyderabad Man Loses ₹6 Lakh in Online ‘Gold Stocks’ Trading Fraud
A Hyderabad resident was duped of over ₹6 lakh in a fraudulent online gold trading scheme. Scammers promised lucrative returns through fake stock apps and manipulated dashboards. Authorities registered a case, warning investors to avoid unverified digital trading platforms and seek advice from registered financial institutions.
4. Sweet Shop Owner Duped of ₹1 Lakh in Cyber Fraud Case
A local sweet shop owner lost ₹1 lakh after cyber fraudsters tricked him through a fake payment link. The scammers pretended to place large orders and sent fraudulent UPI messages. Police advised small business owners to verify transactions carefully before sharing OTPs or clicking payment confirmation links.
5. Ghaziabad Police Return ₹34 Crore to Cyber Fraud Victims in 18 Months
Ghaziabad police announced that ₹34 crore defrauded through cyber scams has been successfully refunded to victims over the past 18 months. Officials credited improved coordination with banks and real-time tracking of transactions. The city’s cyber cell continues efforts to freeze fraudulent accounts and accelerate victim reimbursements.
INTERNATIONAL
6. EU Faces €50 Billion VAT and Customs Fraud Crisis, Warns EPPO
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) warned that VAT and customs fraud across the EU has ballooned to over €50 billion annually. Officials said criminal networks exploit cross-border trade loopholes and digital platforms to evade taxes. The EPPO urged stronger data-sharing and unified enforcement to curb systemic financial crimes.
7. INTERPOL’s Operation HAECHI VI Recovers $439 Million in Global Financial Crime Sweep
INTERPOL’s Operation HAECHI VI led to the recovery of $439 million and over 3,500 arrests worldwide. The operation targeted online scams, investment fraud, and romance scams across 61 countries. Officials said the crackdown highlights growing international collaboration to track illicit digital money flows and dismantle transnational cybercrime networks.
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8. Scanning Attempts on Palo Alto Networks Portals Surge 500% in a Single Day
Cybersecurity analysts reported a 500% spike in scanning activity targeting Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect portals within 24 hours. Experts suspect hackers are probing for vulnerabilities in enterprise VPN systems. Organizations using affected products were urged to update patches and monitor network logs to prevent potential exploitation attempts.
9. ‘CometJacking’ Flaw Turns Perplexity’s Comet AI Browser into Potential Data Theft Tool
Researchers identified a vulnerability dubbed “CometJacking” in Perplexity’s Comet AI browser that could allow attackers to steal local data with a single click. The flaw exploits permission handling to access system files. Experts advised users to apply security updates as the browser’s developer works on a permanent patch.
10. Discord Suffers Data Breach; Hackers Access User IDs, Billing Info, and Support Chats
Popular chat platform Discord confirmed a data breach that exposed user IDs, billing details, and customer support communications. The attack reportedly targeted a third-party service provider. Discord has notified affected users and launched an internal audit to strengthen vendor security and prevent future supply chain breaches.
