Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [06.01.2025]: 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. 8 Cyber Fraudsters Nabbed in 2 Months After Duping 4,500 Victims of Rs 15 Crore
Gurgaon police arrested eight cyber fraudsters linked to 4,837 victims and Rs 15.7 crore scams. Cases involved fake parcels, KYC updates, and app scams. Accused used fake IDs and targeted victims nationwide. Seized materials revealed links to 176 FIRs. Arrests include individuals from Haryana, Delhi, Agra, and Aligarh.
2. ‘Held Hostage for 40 Hours’: Influencer Ankush Bahuguna Opens Up About Cyber Fraud Ordeal
Influencer revealed he was digitally held hostage by scammers for 40 hours, causing him financial loss and mental distress. Sharing his ordeal on Instagram, he highlighted the rising frequency of such scams and urged followers to stay vigilant against online fraud, emphasizing the severe impact on victims.
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3. Assam’s Morigaon Police Crack Down on Major Cybercrime Racket, Arrest 11 Scammers
Morigaon police cracked a major cybercrime racket, arresting 11 individuals from multiple areas in the district. The accused used fake Aadhaar, PAN, SIM cards, and documents to commit financial fraud and secure loans. Authorities seized several forged documents, SIM cards, and bank passbooks during the operation.
4. Police Investigate Cyber Fraud Scheme Targeting Ayurveda Businesses
Delhi Police is investigating cyber fraud against Sanyasi Ayurveda after its promotional video and name were misused to sell counterfeit ayurvedic products online. An FIR filed on December 27 alleges the racket’s organized forgery poses public health risks. Fake ads, misleading calls, and counterfeit orders were traced to Ghaziabad.
5. Cybercrime Tragedy: Woman Ends Life After Losing Rs 1.5 Lakh in Fake Lottery Scam
In Chilkana, Saharanpur, UP, a young woman fell victim to a Rs 25 lakh lottery scam, paying Rs 1.5 lakh in “taxes” to fraudsters. Realizing the fraud, she suffered severe distress. Taunted by relatives, she consumed poison and tragically ended her life. The incident highlights the devastating impact of cyber fraud.
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6. Cyber Crime Bureau Seizes 136 Luxury Cars Linked to Macua 888 Online Gambling Probe
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau seized 136 luxury cars in raids across Nonthaburi and Bangkok, including 122 from a car wholesale company. A suspect, Jirayus Charoenpong, was arrested for alleged money laundering. Authorities will screen assets with various agencies and interrogate additional suspects linked to the online gambling network.
7. 800K VW Group EV Telemetry Data Exposed in Online Breach
Volkswagen subsidiary Cariad exposed telemetry data of 800,000 EVs due to unsecured web pages, revealing geolocation, battery levels, and owner details. A whistleblower reported the breach, now resolved. Customers’ data remains secure, but the incident underscores privacy risks from poor cloud security.
8. FireScam Infostealer Targets Android Users Through Fake Telegram Premium Apps
Cybersecurity researchers at Cyfirma identified FireScam, an Android spyware disguised as “Telegram Premium,” spreading via phishing websites mimicking app stores. FireScam steals sensitive data, monitors user activities, and evades detection through advanced obfuscation. Experts stress using antivirus software, regular updates, and vigilance to counter this persistent mobile threat.
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9. Nuclei Vulnerability Found, Allowing Signature Bypass and Code Execution
A critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-43405) in Nuclei, a popular open-source vulnerability scanner, allows attackers to bypass signature checks and execute malicious code. Exploiting regex and YAML parsing inconsistencies, attackers can craft harmful templates. Patched in version 3.3.2, users are urged to update and validate templates to prevent system compromise.
10. PLAYFULGHOST Malware Spreads via Phishing and Trojanized VPN Apps
PLAYFULGHOST, a new malware flagged by Google’s Managed Defense, mimics Gh0st RAT and spreads via phishing and SEO poisoning, often through trojanized VPN apps like LetsVPN. It captures keystrokes, screenshots, audio, and system data, while also deploying tools like Mimikatz. Primarily targeting Chinese-speaking users, it exploits DLL hijacking and BYOVD attacks.