Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [13.08.2024]: 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. Three Cybercriminals Arrested in Rajasthan
The UT police arrested three men from Jodhpur, Rajasthan—Mahesh Jangid, Vishal Gaur, and Hemant Parjapati—for defrauding a Chandigarh resident of Rs 3.66 crore under the guise of stock market investments. The suspects lured the victim via a WhatsApp group, with the stolen money being funneled into a bank account and cryptocurrency.
2. Woman Scammed Out of Rs 2.6 Lakh by Cyber Fraudsters Offering ITR Assistance
A Mumbai fashion designer lost Rs 2.62 lakh to a scammer who posed as a bank employee offering help with filing her income tax returns. After searching for the income tax department’s contact information on Google, she received a call from the fraudster, who gained remote access to her phone and conducted fraudulent transactions.
3. Ghaziabad Couple Falls Victim to a cyber scam, Losing Over Rs 3 Crore
A Ghaziabad couple lost Rs 3.1 crore in cyber fraud after being lured by a fake investment opportunity via a Facebook ad. Nabanita Mishra, who filed the FIR, reported that they were added to a WhatsApp group posing as a legitimate investment platform. After multiple transactions, they realized they were scammed when they couldn’t access their funds.
4. Businessman Reports Cyber Fraud Early, Prevents Rs 1 Crore Loss
A Hyderabad businessman who lost Rs 1.1 crore to cyber fraud recovered Rs 1 crore after quickly reporting the incident to the National Cyber Crime Helpline. The TG Cyber Security Bureau froze the funds just 12 minutes after the complaint was lodged, highlighting the importance of reporting cyber frauds immediately.
ALSO READ: FCRF Launches ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ Initiative to Combat Rising Cyber Crime
5. 104 FIRs and 3,000 Complaints Filed Across India: 4 Cyber Con Artists Apprehended
Gurgaon police arrested four cyber fraudsters linked to Rs 11.2 crore in online scams involving 3,057 complaints and 104 FIRs across India. The accused lured victims with fake stock market investment opportunities. Cybercrime in Gurgaon has surged, with Rs 285 crore lost in 2024, but recovery rates have improved to 16%.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Australian Gold Miner Evolution Mining Hit by Ransomware Attack
Evolution Mining, an Australian gold mining company, reported a ransomware attack on its IT systems discovered on August 8. The attack, now contained, was managed with external cyber forensics experts. The company, which anticipates no significant operational impact, informed the Australian Cyber Security Centre and emphasized safeguarding data and privacy.
7. McLaren Health Care Targeted in Cyber Attack
McLaren Health Care experienced a cyberattack on August 7, 2024, potentially compromising patient and employee data. The healthcare organization implemented downtime procedures and is restoring functionality, though some non-urgent appointments were rescheduled. Cybersecurity expert Erich Kron emphasized the importance of protecting sensitive data and training employees to detect phishing threats.
ALSO READ: FutureCrime Summit: Biggest Conference on Cyber Crimes Set to Return in February 2025
8. Hackers Steal Personal Data of 200,000+ Individuals Linked to Arizona Tech School
The East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) in Arizona experienced a January cyberattack that exposed the data of 208,717 students, staff, and parents. The LockBit ransomware group claimed responsibility. EVIT is enhancing security measures and notifying affected individuals, offering 12 months of credit monitoring. The stolen data includes up to 48 types of personal information.
9. Swiss Company Schlatter Faces IT Disruption Due to Cyberattack
Schlatter Industries, a Swiss engineering company, suffered a malware cyberattack on Friday, likely a professional blackmail attempt. The company is investigating potential data theft and working to restore its systems. Security measures were promptly initiated, and authorities have been involved in addressing the incident.
10. International Ransomware and Malvertising Ring Leader Extradited from Poland to Face Charges
Maksim Silnikau, a dual-national from Belarus and Ukraine, was extradited from Poland and charged in the U.S. for leading major cybercrime schemes, including distributing malware and operating the Ransom Cartel ransomware. Silnikau faces multiple charges, including wire fraud and computer fraud, with severe penalties if convicted.