Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [22.01.2025]: 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. AIIMS Doctor Duped of Rs 13.75 Lakh in Cyber Fraud
An AIIMS doctor in Nagpur lost Rs 13.75 lakh in a cyber fraud after calling a fake SBI customer care number found online. The scammer hacked her phone via a WhatsApp file, transferring Rs 10.90 lakh and taking a Rs 2.84 lakh loan against her fixed deposit. Police are investigating the incident.
2. Retired Himachal Official Scammed of Rs 82 Lakh in Cybercrime
A retired Himachal official lost Rs 82 lakh in a cyber scam involving fake stock market investments via a Facebook link and WhatsApp group. Cyber Cell recovered Rs 16 lakh using the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. Officials urge vigilance against online fraud, highlighting increasing cybercrime cases. Police are investigating further.
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3. Global Cybercrime Racket Uncovered in Major Bust
The North East Division Cyber Crime Police uncovered a Rs 11-crore international cybercrime racket, arresting three suspects, while pursuing a Dubai-based kingpin. The gang posed as officials to extort Rs 11 crore from Bengaluru engineer. Police traced funds to gold purchases in Surat.
4. Hyderabad Cybercrime: Three Arrested for Sharing Child Pornography; Police Issue Advisory
Hyderabad Cybercrime Unit arrested three individuals, including a student, for downloading and sharing child pornography via social media. Acting on leads from the NCMEC portal, police traced the suspects using IP addresses and email IDs. Cases were registered under the IT Act, with evidence forwarded for further legal action.
5. Pune Woman Scammed of Rs 13 Lakh in Bank Transfer Fraud
Cyber fraudsters duped a Pashan woman of Rs 13.23 lakh by falsely accusing her of black money involvement and threatening a “digital arrest.” Believing the claims, she transferred the money. Baner Police registered a case, warning citizens to avoid responding to such scams and verify suspicious claims with authorities.
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6. Mirai Variant Murdoc Botnet Targets AVTECH IP Cameras and Huawei Routers
Cybersecurity experts warn of a large-scale campaign using the Murdoc Botnet to exploit vulnerabilities in AVTECH IP cameras and Huawei routers. Active since July 2024, it has infected over 1,370 devices, primarily in Asia. The botnet executes DDoS attacks by infiltrating IoT devices via known flaws and weak credentials.
7. 13,000 MikroTik Routers Compromised by Botnet for Malspam and Cyberattacks
A botnet of 13,000 hijacked MikroTik routers is spreading malware via malspam campaigns exploiting misconfigured DNS records and SPF vulnerabilities. The compromised routers enable SOCKS proxies, masking malicious traffic for DDoS attacks and phishing. Experts urge firmware updates, strong credentials, and robust security measures to prevent further exploitation.
8. CERT-UA Alerts on Cyber Scams Using Fake AnyDesk Requests for Security Audits
CERT-UA warns of cyber scams impersonating its agency using fake AnyDesk audit requests to exploit user trust. Attackers require AnyDesk software and the target’s identifier to succeed. Ukraine’s cyber agency detected over 1,042 incidents in 2024, with espionage, financial theft, and psychological operations being major threats amid ongoing cyber tensions.
9. 4.2 Million Hosts, Including VPNs and Routers, Exposed by Unsecured Tunneling Protocols
Research reveals vulnerabilities in tunneling protocols, impacting 4.2 million hosts, including VPNs and routers. Flaws in GRE, IPv6, and related protocols allow attackers to perform DDoS attacks, spoof IP addresses, and access private networks. Experts urge using IPSec or WireGuard, traffic filtering, and encryption to prevent exploitation and enhance security.
10. Ex-CIA Analyst Admits to Sharing Top-Secret Data with Unauthorized Individuals
Former CIA analyst Asif Rahman pleaded guilty to sharing Top Secret U.S. defense data with unauthorized individuals. Rahman printed classified documents, altered them, and transmitted sensitive information, which later surfaced online. Separately, the Philippines arrested a Chinese national and two Filipinos for surveillance on critical infrastructure tied to the PLA.