Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [05.01.2025]: 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. Morigaon Police Busts Rs 20 Crore Cyber Fraud Syndicate, Arrests 11
In a major crackdown, Morigaon Police arrested 11 individuals for a Rs 20 crore cyber fraud involving fake documents like SIM cards, Aadhaar, and PAN cards to secure online loans. The gang targeted financial institutions. Police seized 396 SIM cards, 34 smartphones, and other items, highlighting Assam’s escalating cybercrime issues.
2. Hyderabad Woman Duped of Rs 48.38 Lakh in Snapchat Scam; Three Arrested
A Hyderabad woman lost Rs 48.38 lakh in a Snapchat-based extortion scam. A man and two associates exploited her, with one posing as a cop. The Cybercrime Unit arrested the trio for fraud. Police urge caution on social media and advise against sharing personal or financial details with strangers.
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3. Private Employee Falls Victim to Rs 12.50 Lakh Cyber Fraud
A 39-year-old private employee lost Rs 12.59 lakh in an online trading scam after responding to a social media ad. Scammers, posing as a global securities firm, manipulated a trading app to show fake profits, convincing the victim to invest more. Withdrawal attempts were blocked, leading to the victim’s financial loss.
4. Air hostess loses Rs 10 lakh to cyber fraudsters who threatened arrest for ‘money laundering’
A 24-year-old air hostess from Thane lost Rs 9.93 lakh in a cyber fraud. Scammers posed as officials, accused her of money laundering, and threatened arrest, forcing her to transfer funds via links. The victim reported the crime to police, who have registered an FIR but made no arrests yet.
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5. Delhi Police Nabs Man for Blackmailing Women with Fake Identity
Delhi Police arrested a 23 old, for cyber extortion, using fake profiles on Bumble and Snapchat to blackmail women with intimate photos. Recovered items include 13 credit cards and a virtual mobile number. Separately, five Bangladeshi nationals overstaying after visa expiry were detained and deported from a Sarita Vihar guest house.
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6. 20 Arrested in Türkiye for Cyber Fraud and Illegal Betting Operations
Türkiye’s Interior Minister Ali Yerliakya announced the arrest of 20 suspects in the ‘Siberag-14’ operations targeting cyber fraud and illegal betting across six provinces. Coordinated by public prosecutors and the Cyber Crime Department, the raids were conducted by gendarmerie units in Ankara, Aydin, Manisa, Hatay, Zonguldak, and Mersin.
7. Hacker Steals Unreleased Tracks by Coldplay and Bebe Rexha
Skylar Dalziel, 22, pleaded guilty to stealing unreleased tracks from artists like Coldplay, Shawn Mendes, and Bebe Rexha. She sold 40 songs online, earning £42,000. Arrested in 2023, police seized 291,941 tracks. Sentenced to 21 months suspended imprisonment, Dalziel also faces 180 hours of unpaid work for copyright crimes.
8. Atos Disputes Space Bears’ Ransomware Allegations, Adds a Caveat
French tech giant Atos denied a ransomware breach by Space Bears, stating no Atos-managed systems were compromised. However, it acknowledged third-party infrastructure containing Atos-related data was affected. Atos emphasized its robust security measures, while ongoing scrutiny surrounds its financial challenges and partial business acquisition talks with the French government.
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9. Former White House Tech Advisor Declares Encryption Backdoor Debate Over
The Salt Typhoon hacks, called the worst telecom breach in U.S. history, have spurred a policy shift favoring encryption without backdoors. Experts, including Virtru CEO John Ackerly, urge Congress to reform outdated laws like CALEA, strengthen telecom cybersecurity, and adopt end-to-end encryption to block foreign espionage and secure communications.
10. Social Media Licensing Proposed to Aid Justice for Cybercrime Victims: MCCA
Starting January 1, Malaysia will require social media operating licenses to improve cybercrime enforcement, says MCCA president Siraj Jalil. The move aims to simplify identifying offenders, ensuring justice for victims. Parents of young users are expected to benefit, with a focus on securing children’s online safety. Major platforms are complying.