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. Govt blocks over 83,000 WhatsApp accounts linked to digital arrest scams
The government has blocked over 83,668 WhatsApp accounts and 3,962 Skype IDs linked to digital arrest scams, Union MoS Bandi Sanjay Kumar informed Lok Sabha. He said I4C identified fraud networks, deactivated 7.8 lakh SIMs, and helped prevent Rs 4,386 crore in cyber fraud through over 1.3 million complaint responses.
2. Gujarat Police return Rs 2.07 crore to cyber fraud victims
Gujarat Police returned Rs 2.07 crore to nine cyber fraud victims under the ‘Tera Tujhko Arpan’ initiative. State Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi handed over the recovered amounts, which were traced back to scams involving fake investment apps, fraudulent links, credit card fraud, and OTP-related cybercrimes, officials said.
3. Two arrested in police crackdown on ‘UPI hijack’ scam
Delhi Police busted a “UPI hijack” scam with the arrest of two individuals who allegedly bypassed security features on lost or stolen mobile phones. The accused used this method to access and withdraw money from victims’ bank accounts, officials said on Tuesday.
4. Mule account supplier arrested in Haryana
Hyderabad Cyber Crime police arrested a Haryana-based accountant, for supplying mule accounts used in nationwide investment and trading frauds. Linked to 43 cases, including six in Telangana, aided scammers who cheated a civil engineer of Rs 20.01 lakh through WhatsApp-based investment traps, officials confirmed.
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5. Trivandrum doctor loses Rs 2.25 lakh in cyber fraud
A 48-year-old doctor from Thiruvananthapuram lost Rs 2.25 lakh after fraudsters hacked his ICICI credit card on March 6. They made online purchases delivered to Bhubaneswar. He quickly blocked all his cards and filed a police complaint. An FIR was registered, but the doctor alleged delay hampered timely action.
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6. VanHelsing ransomware targets Windows systems in new cyber threat
Check Point has uncovered VanHelsing, a new ransomware-as-a-service targeting Windows, Linux, and VMware ESXi, though only Windows systems are affected so far. Launched on March 7, it demands $500,000 per victim. Affiliates pay $5,000 to join unless reputable, and keep 80% of ransoms. Development and infections are ongoing.
7. Infosec expert Troy Hunt falls victim to Mailchimp phishing attack
Troy Hunt, founder of HaveIBeenPwned, fell for a phishing email that compromised his Mailchimp account, exposing a mailing list of 16,000 users. The well-crafted phish exploited urgency and OTP relay. Hunt apologized and criticized Mailchimp’s lack of phishing-resistant 2FA. Cloudflare later took down the fraudulent domain.
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8. VanHelsing RaaS identified as emerging global cybersecurity threat
Launched on March 7, 2025, VanHelsing RaaS is a fast-evolving ransomware-as-a-service targeting Windows, Linux, and more. Affiliates pay $5,000 to join and earn 80% of ransom payouts, with demands reaching $500,000. Its rapid development, cross-platform reach, and user-friendly tools make it a growing cybersecurity threat.
9. 300+ arrested in major cybercrime crackdown across African nations
Interpol’s Operation Red Card led to 306 arrests and the seizure of 1,842 devices across seven African countries, targeting cyber-enabled fraud. The crackdown uncovered over 5,000 victims of scams like SIM box fraud, investment schemes, and phishing. Authorities also seized assets and uncovered links to human trafficking and digital laundering.
10. Hackers exploit .NET MAUI to spread fake banking and social apps in India, China
Cybersecurity experts have uncovered an Android malware campaign using Microsoft’s .NET MAUI to create fake banking and social media apps targeting Indian and Chinese users. These apps steal sensitive data through disguised interfaces, evade detection using encrypted loaders, and spread via bogus links shared through messaging apps and third-party stores.