Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [22.08.2024]: 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. Punjab Police Crack Down on Cyber Fraud with Arrests in Bengal
Punjab Police’s Cybercrime division dismantled an interstate financial fraud gang with three arrests in West Bengal. The gang defrauded an accountant of Rs 49.6 lakh using a fake WhatsApp message. Police seized Rs 5.22 lakh from 44 linked bank accounts and are continuing the investigation.
2. Kerala Cyber Wing Exposes 60 Fake Lottery Apps
Kerala’s cyber wing discovered 60 fraudulent apps posing as state lottery platforms, duping victims into buying fake tickets online. Scammers used social media and WhatsApp to target individuals who were misled into thinking they won prizes. Authorities have requested the removal of these apps and related profiles.
3. Cyber Cell Solves Multiple Financial Fraud Cases
Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Cyber Cell recovered Rs 2.34 lakh after solving several online financial fraud cases, where victims lost substantial amounts of money to scams involving hotel reviews, trading companies, and other fraudulent schemes. Quick police intervention prevented further financial losses.
4. Cybercriminals taunt police; dare women to Catch Them
A gang of cyber fraudsters has been taunting an Ahmedabad woman after scamming her mother out of Rs 14,000. Despite her police complaint, the scammers continue to harass her with calls, mocking the authorities for failing to catch them.
ALSO READ: FCRF Launches ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ Initiative to Combat Rising Cyber Crime
5. Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Unit Uncovers Interstate Financial Fraud Ring, Three Arrested in West Bengal
Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Division arrested three suspects from West Bengal in connection with an interstate cyber fraud gang. The suspects, including two Flipkart employees, were involved in defrauding Rs 49.6 lakh from a company accountant. Police seized Rs 5.22 lakh across multiple bank accounts, with further arrests expected.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Major Oil Company Halliburton Suffers Cyberattack, Disrupting Operations
Oil giant Halliburton is dealing with a computer system issue reportedly linked to a cyberattack, impacting operations at its Houston campus and global networks. The company has activated its response plan and is working with experts to resolve the issue, though it hasn’t confirmed the nature of the incident.
7. Pakistani Man Charged with Cyberterrorism for Spreading False Information Linked to UK Riots
A Pakistani man, Farhan Asif, has been charged with cyber-terrorism for allegedly spreading disinformation on his website, Channel3Now. His false report about a Muslim asylum seeker fueled anti-immigration riots in the UK. Asif, a software engineer, used clickbait content for profit and is now in custody.
8. North Korean Hackers Launch New MoonPeak Trojan in their cyberattack Campaign
North Korean state-sponsored hackers, linked to the Kimsuky group, are using a new remote access trojan called MoonPeak in cyber campaigns. The malware, a variant of Xeno RAT, is under active development and is designed to evade detection and improve its command-and-control infrastructure.
9. Styx Stealer Developer’s Operational Mistake Reveals Client List and Earnings
The operator of the Styx Stealer malware accidentally leaked their own data, revealing client details, nicknames, and payment information. Styx Stealer, a derivative of Phemedrone Stealer, is designed to steal browser data, cryptocurrency wallets, and instant messenger sessions. This OPSEC lapse exposed connections to other cybercriminal activities.
ALSO READ: FutureCrime Summit: Biggest Conference on Cyber Crimes Set to Return in February 2025
10. CERT-UA Alerts of New Vermin-Related Phishing Attacks Using Proof-of-Work Lures
Ukraine’s CERT-UA warns of new phishing attacks by the UAC-0020 (Vermin) group, targeting devices with SPECTR spyware and new FIRMACHAGENT malware. The attacks, using fake prisoner-of-war photos, deploy obfuscated PowerShell scripts to steal data and send it to remote servers.