Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [21.01.2025]: 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. Doc duped of Rs 2.22L by cyber frauds
A 58-year-old doctor in Berhampur, Odisha lost Rs 2.22 lakh to cyber scammers in four hours after clicking a malicious WhatsApp link. The fraud occurred on January 16, prompting an FIR. Police warned against interacting with unknown callers or links, highlighting evolving tactics used by cybercriminals to bypass OTP security measures.
2. Guntur Cybercrime Police Capture Social Media Fraudster at Indo-Nepal Border
The Guntur Cyber Crime Police arrested a 34 year old at the Indo-Nepal border for posing as a Telugu Desam NRI convener to defraud victims seeking medical aid. Using fake identities and social media hashtags, he scammed Rs 57 lakh across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Accused faces nine registered cases under the IT Act.
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3. Dehradun Businessman Duped of Rs 2.5 Crore: 19-Year-Old Scammer Caught in Rajasthan
After a four-month manhunt, Uttarakhand STF arrested 19-year-old in Jaipur for duping a Dehradun businessman of Rs 2.47 crore. Posing as a cybercrime officer, Bhatt kept the victim under “digital house arrest” for seven days, using fake legal notices and threats. Similar fraud cases were reported nationwide.
4. QR Code of Noodles Vendor Leads Police to Cyber Harassment Suspect in Delhi
A 22-year-old man from Nand Nagari was arrested in Delhi for blackmailing a college student using AI-manipulated explicit images. Police traced the accused, via a QR code linked to a noodles vendor. He used social media to extort money, exploiting AI and the platform’s “one-time-view” feature for harassment.
5. Three Arrested in Digital Fraud Scheme
The North East Division Cyber Crime Police busted an international racket, arresting three men from Prayagraj and Gujarat for scamming a Bengaluru techie out of Rs 11 crore. The accused posed as officials to “digitally arrest” the victim, transferring funds to fake accounts. The kingpin, operating from Dubai, remains at large.
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6. South Africa Grapples with Growing Cybersecurity Threats to Critical Infrastructure
South Africa faces rising cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, with ransomware targeting sectors like finance, energy, and healthcare. Notable incidents include breaches at the National Health Laboratory Service and Denel. The SSA warns of escalating threats due to advanced communications systems and geopolitical factors, making the nation a prime target.
7. Malaysia Proposes ASEAN Cybercrime Task Force to Combat Rising Digital Threats
Malaysia has proposed an ASEAN Cybercrime Task Force to enhance intelligence sharing and combat digital threats, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid announced at AISSE25. Emphasizing AI-driven policing, blockchain identity systems, and public-private partnerships, Zahid reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to regional security, citing RM1.22 billion in cybercrime losses last year.
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8. Ransomware Attack Shuts Down British High School Operations
Blacon High School in Chester shut for two days following a ransomware attack, disrupting IT and phone systems. Students are completing assignments online while investigators assess potential data breaches. The attack highlights vulnerabilities in UK public sector cybersecurity, with outdated technology and limited funding making institutions like schools prime targets.
9. Unsecured Tunneling Protocols Leave 4.2 Million Hosts, VPNs, and Routers Vulnerable
New research reveals vulnerabilities in tunneling protocols, affecting 4.2 million hosts globally, including VPNs and routers. Attackers can exploit these flaws to perform DoS attacks, spoof IP addresses, and infiltrate private networks. Experts recommend using IPSec or WireGuard, traffic filtering, and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to mitigate these risks.
10. Hackers Use Malicious npm Packages to Steal Solana Wallet Keys via Gmail SMTP
Cybersecurity researchers uncovered malicious npm and PyPI packages designed to steal data and wipe files. Packages like solana-transaction-toolkit target Solana wallets, while others exfiltrate environment variables and use kill switches to delete directories. Attackers also exploit GitHub repositories to distribute malware, posing significant risks to developers and users alike.