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. Belgian Court Approves Extradition of Mehul Choksi to India in PNB Bank Fraud Case
A Belgian court approved the extradition of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi to India in connection with the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud. Indian authorities hailed the ruling as a major breakthrough. Legal formalities for his transfer are underway, marking a crucial step in bringing economic offenders to justice.
2. Four Arrested in Odisha for Involvement in Massive Recruitment Scam
Odisha police arrested four individuals for their role in a large-scale recruitment scam. The accused allegedly collected money from job seekers with false promises of government employment. Officials seized fake appointment letters, IDs, and bank records. Authorities urged citizens to verify official job advertisements before making any payments.
FCRF Launches CCLP Program to Train India’s Next Generation of Cyber Law Practitioners
3. Kozhikode Police Arrest Three Key Accused in ₹25 Crore Cyber Fraud Case
Kozhikode cyber police arrested three prime suspects behind a ₹25 crore online investment fraud. The gang operated fake trading websites to lure investors and divert funds through multiple accounts. Investigators said the arrests mark a major breakthrough in dismantling a network responsible for defrauding victims across several states.
4. Mumbai: Finance Consultant Duped of ₹74.35 Lakh in Online Share Trading Scam
A finance consultant from Mulund, Mumbai, lost ₹74.35 lakh in a fraudulent online trading scheme. Scammers promised high returns on share investments and tricked the victim into multiple transactions. Police registered a case under cybercrime laws, warning professionals against unverified investment platforms and social media-based trading offers.
5. Ex-Civil Surgeon, Four Officials Among Eight Charged in ₹3.4 Crore Modular ICU Fraud in Nashik
Eight people, including a former civil surgeon and four health department officials, were charged in a ₹3.4 crore fraud involving modular ICU installations in Nashik. Investigators found inflated bills and forged documents. Authorities said the scam exposed deep-rooted corruption in public health procurement during the pandemic period.
INTERNATIONAL
6. North Korean Hackers Merge BeaverTail and OtterCookie into Advanced JavaScript Malware
Cybersecurity researchers uncovered a new JavaScript malware campaign combining BeaverTail and OtterCookie, both attributed to North Korean threat actors. The hybrid strain enables advanced browser data theft and remote command execution. Experts warned it reflects Pyongyang’s growing sophistication in targeting global businesses for espionage and cryptocurrency theft operations.
7. Researchers Discover Critical WatchGuard VPN Vulnerability Allowing Device Takeover
Security analysts identified a severe flaw in WatchGuard’s VPN systems that could let attackers gain full device control. The vulnerability allows remote code execution and credential theft through exposed interfaces. WatchGuard issued urgent security patches, advising organizations to restrict access and review configurations to prevent potential exploitation in the wild.
The First Firm to Assess Your DFIR Capability Maturity and Provide DFIR as a Service (DFIRaaS)
8. F5 Networks Confirms Nation-State Hack; Source Code and Vulnerability Data Stolen
F5 Networks confirmed a breach attributed to a nation-state actor, resulting in theft of proprietary source code and vulnerability research data. The company said customer systems were unaffected. Cyber experts warn the stolen information could accelerate exploitation of zero-days, emphasizing the growing risk of espionage targeting cybersecurity vendors.
9. Labor Unions Sue Trump Administration Over Expanded Social Media Surveillance
Multiple labor unions have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging unlawful surveillance of employees’ social media activity. The plaintiffs argue that monitoring efforts infringe on privacy and free speech rights. Civil liberties groups are backing the case, which could set major precedents for digital privacy in workplaces.
10. Victims Lose £106 Million to Romance Scams in Past Year, UK Police Report
UK police reported that victims collectively lost £106 million to romance scams last year, with cases rising sharply post-pandemic. Fraudsters build emotional trust online before manipulating victims into sending money. Authorities launched awareness campaigns urging people to verify online relationships and avoid sharing financial details with digital acquaintances.
