Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [26.12.2024]: 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. Avadi Police Crack Rs 38 Lakh Digital Scam, Arrest Accused Tied to 135 Cybercrime Cases
Avadi police, Chennai uncovered a Rs 38 lakh cybercrime targeting a retired lecturer, revealing an accused linked to 135 scams. Scamsters posed as officials to extort funds under a “digital arrest” pretense. The accused, operated 13 bank accounts, laundering crores through fake job offers, share trading, and similar scams.
2. Perambalur Police Nab Two Gujarat Cyber Criminals for Defrauding Woman
Perambalur cybercrime police arrested two individuals in Gujarat for defrauding, a woman from Ayilur village, of Rs 63.87 lakh via an Instagram trading scam. The suspects used bank transactions to collect the money. Police recovered Rs 50,000, four mobile phones, five SIM cards, and seven ATM cards.
ALSO READ : Nominate NOW for FCRF Excellence Awards at FutureCrime Summit 2025
3. Cyber Police Kashmir Caution Influencers Against Promoting Scam Platforms
Kashmir Cyber Police warned social media influencers and YouTubers against promoting illegal betting apps, fake investment schemes, and job offers. Such endorsements mislead the public and violate the law, inviting strict legal action. The police urged vigilance and encouraged reporting of suspicious activities to ensure accountability and public safety.
4. Palladam Financier Loses Rs 7.5 Lakh in Online Fraud
A Palladam-Tamil Nadu based private financier, lost Rs 7.5 lakh to online fraudsters after falling for a fake WhatsApp message. Posing as his bank, the fraudsters warned of account suspension due to incomplete KYC details, prompting him to share sensitive information, leading to the financial loss.
5. Jalandhar Rural Police Recover Rs 1.57 Lakh from Cyber Fraud Cases
Jalandhar Rural Police Cyber Cell refunded Rs 21.57 lakh to three cyber fraud victims under a special drive led by SP Investigation Jasroop Kaur Bath. Prompt action enabled freezing and recovery of stolen funds. SSP Harkamal Preet Singh emphasized timely reporting via 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in to prevent financial losses.
ALSO READ: Nominate Top Cyber Journalists for FutureCrime Summit 2025 Awards–[Nominate a Journalist]
INTERNATIONAL
6. Japan Airlines Faces Cyber Attack, Flight Operations at Risk
Japan Airlines reported a cyberattack on Thursday, warning of potential flight delays and cancellations. The airline is addressing the issue but provided no specific details on disruptions. This makes JAL the latest Japanese company targeted by cyberattacks, following a 2022 incident that disrupted Toyota’s operations.
7. FBI Attributes $308M DMM.com Bitcoin Theft to North Korean Hackers
The FBI, DC3, and Japan’s NPA confirmed North Korean hackers’ involvement in a $308 million Bitcoin heist from DMM.com in May 2024, linked to TraderTraitor activity. The attack began in March, with hackers posing as recruiters targeting Ginco, a crypto wallet firm, underscoring state-sponsored cybercrime threats to digital assets.
ALSO READ : Nominations Open for FCRF Excellence Awards in Cyber Policing: Click Here for Details [Nominate for Cyber Policing Award]
8. CICC Calls for Increased Funding to Strengthen Cybercrime Combat Efforts
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) seeks additional funding to enhance its fight against cybercrime in 2025. CICC aims to develop cost-effective tools for combating threats like ransomware and fraud, supported by a PHP15-million anti-smishing project with DOST. Plans also include promoting digital forensics labs for vulnerable victims.
9. Python Malware in Zebo-0.1.0 and Cometlogger-0.1 Identified Stealing User Data
Fortinet FortiGuard Labs detected Python malware in packages Zebo-0.1.0 and Cometlogger-0.1, targeting sensitive user data via keystroke logging, screen capturing, and data exfiltration. These malicious PyPI packages exploit obfuscation to evade detection, compromising platforms like Discord and Steam. Users are urged to isolate infected systems and use reputable antivirus solutions.
10. Heavy Penalties Imposed for Internet Protocol Manipulation in Cyber Fraud Cases
The UAE Public Prosecution outlined strict penalties for cyber fraud and IP address manipulation under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021. Offenders face imprisonment and fines up to Dh2 million. Cybercrimes like extortion, privacy violations, and forging electronic documents attract severe penalties, with extortion punishable by up to two years in prison.