Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [18.12.2024]: 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. TN man working in cyber scam compound in Cambodia held
A fraudster from Cambodia was arrested for cheating a retired government official of Rs 1.66 crore in an investment scam. The victim, misled by fake consultants via WhatsApp and YouTube, transferred funds into fake trading accounts. Three others, including mule account holders, were also arrested by the cybercrime wing.
2. Ranchi police files FIR over fake account of President Murmu
Ranchi police filed an FIR after cybercriminals created a fake Facebook account of President Draupadi Murmu to deceive citizens. Prompted by a Hazaribag resident’s complaint, authorities launched a thorough investigation to trace the culprits behind the fraudulent activity.
3. Chilling cybercrime draining wallets, wrecking lives
Fraudsters impersonating law enforcement intimidate victims into paying hefty sums by accusing them of fabricated crimes like money laundering. With cybercrime cases rising by 11.8% in 2021, such scams expose the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect individuals and businesses.
4. Elderly woman in Bengaluru cheated of Rs 1.24 crore in cyber fraud
Posing as CBI and Mumbai Police officials, fraudsters accused an 83-year-old of crimes, coercing her into transferring Rs 1.24 crore across four transactions. After losing contact with the scammers, the victim approached cyber police, who launched an investigation into the fraud.
5. Mumbai: Retired Banker Couple Lose Life Savings in 10-Day ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
A senior citizen couple from Mumbai lost Rs 1.33 crore in a 10-day “digital arrest” scam. Cybercriminals posing as officials accused them of money laundering, isolating them via video calls and coercing fund transfers. The woman discovered the fraud through a newspaper report and approached the cybercrime helpline, prompting police action.
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INTERNATIONAL
6. Cyber police bust Malaysian-Thai couple in gambling money laundering
A Malaysian national and his Thai wife were arrested for laundering gambling proceeds through shell companies. Raids across four provinces seized assets worth 13.3 million baht, revealing a growing trend of foreign nationals exploiting Thai business laws for illicit activities.
7. Sensitive data leaked after Namibia ransomware hack
Hackers leaked sensitive customer data from Telecom Namibia after ransom negotiations failed. Nearly 500,000 records, including government officials’ details, were exposed. The company condemned the attack, urged customers to secure accounts, and warned against sharing leaked information as investigations continue.
8. Phishers cast wide net with spoofed Google Calendar invites
Scammers spoof Google Calendar invites to steal credentials and financial information. Victims are lured into clicking malicious links disguised as reCAPTCHA or support pages. Experts recommend enabling “known senders” settings and verifying links to prevent such phishing attacks.
9. Hackers leak partial Cisco data from 4.5TB of exposed records
Hackers leaked partial data from a 4.5TB dataset left unsecured by Cisco. The leak includes sensitive information from major firms and Cisco services. Despite earlier denials, the breach highlights the risks of misconfigured public-facing resources in corporate networks.
10. Interpol wants everyone to stop saying ‘pig butchering’
Interpol has replaced the term “pig butchering” with “romance baiting” to reduce victim shaming and encourage reporting. The scam involves fraudsters building trust before duping victims into fake investments, often causing significant financial and emotional harm.
