Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [27.09.2024]: 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. Bengaluru engineer claims he lost Rs 2.4 crore in a cyber fraud involving a fake US stock trading app.
A 56-year-old Bengaluru engineer lost Rs 2.44 crore in a cyber fraud after installing an unsecured app to invest in US stocks. He was lured through WhatsApp and Telegram groups, paid a membership fee, and was guided by a person named Jeevan Gopal. After opening a demat account via an apk file, he made multiple investments, leading to the loss.
2. The Punjab Police has launched a campaign against online child sexual exploitation, leading to the arrest of one suspect.
This incident follows a recent historic Supreme Court ruling stating that viewing and downloading child pornography is a crime under the POCSO Act and IT Act. The Punjab Police explained that CSAM refers to any material depicting minors in a sexual manner, including photos, videos, or media used for exploitation. Creating, distributing, or possessing such content is illegal due to its long-term damaging impact on victims, and is considered a serious form of child exploitation because of its lasting effects.
ALSO READ: Join The Movement: Registration Open for ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ Event by FCRF on October 17
3. Ranveer Allahbadia’s YouTube Channels Hacked, Videos Wiped.
Popular YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, had both of his YouTube channels hacked. The hackers renamed the channels with references to Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Tesla before deleting the content. The new names were “@Elon.trump.tesla_live2024” and “@Tesla.event.trump_2024”.
4. Bengaluru Woman, 39, Scammed of Rs 6 Lakh by Online ‘Boyfriend’.
In a cybercrime incident, a 39-year-old woman from Bengaluru lost Rs 6 lakh after sending money to what she believed was her online boyfriend. On September 20, she received a call from someone impersonating an immigration officer, who insisted she pay Rs 36,000 in taxes for gifts supposedly sent from the UK. Trusting the caller, she transferred the amount, only to later learn that she was required to pay an additional Rs 10 lakh due to the gift’s value.
5. Security Agencies Foil Cyber Criminals’ Attempt to Set Up Operations in Tamil Nadu.
In a joint effort, Central and Tamil Nadu security agencies disrupted a cyber criminal gang’s attempt to establish operations in Tamil Nadu. The Bureau of Immigration detained two Malaysian nationals of Chinese origin, Liang Rong Sheng and Chan Meng Hong, at the airport, while Tamil Nadu’s Crime Branch-CID arrested their accomplices S. Gopalakrishnan and C. Anand in the city.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Google Imposes Restrictions on New Account Creations in Russia.
In Putin’s Russia, Google is allegedly restricting user access, according to reports. Kremlin-linked media claims that Russian customers are being excluded, with new account creation blocked for those using Russian phone numbers and ISPs. Government agencies suggest Russia is being specifically targeted for account registration limitations on Google platforms.
7. MC2 Data Suffers Data Breach, Exposing 100 Million to Fraud Risks.
Security researchers have uncovered a significant data leak affecting the personal information of over 100 million US citizens. The breach, linked to a misconfigured database at the background check firm MC2 Data, exposed 2.2TB of sensitive data online without password protection. This database included over 106 million records containing full names, email addresses, IP addresses, and dates of birth.
8. Wi-Fi at UK Train Stations Hacked to Display Islamophobic Messages.
A significant cyberattack on Wi-Fi networks at UK railway stations, including London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly, has led to major disruptions and the display of Islamophobic content. Authorities are currently investigating the incident and are working to restore services across the affected locations.
9. North Korean Hackers Unleash New KLogEXE and FPSpy Malware in Targeted Cyber Attacks.
North Korean-linked hackers, known as Kimsuky or APT43, have been observed using two new malware strains, KLogEXE and FPSpy. These additions bolster the group’s growing cyber capabilities and enhance its existing Sparkling Pisces toolkit. Researchers from Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 highlight the group’s continuous evolution in threat sophistication.
10. Hackers Could Remotely Control Kia Cars Using Just License Plate Information.
Cybersecurity researchers revealed patched vulnerabilities in Kia vehicles that could have allowed remote control of key functions using just a license plate. The attacks, executable in 30 seconds, affected vehicles made after 2013, even without an active Kia Connect subscription. Hackers could also access sensitive information like the victim’s name, phone number, and address.