The Top Ten cyber crime news summaries on The420 are meticulously curated by Future Crime Researchers from the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF) and powered by Algoritha Security Pvt. Ltd. These summaries feature the most critical cyber crime developments from around the world. Keep reading—and stay safe.
1. Cyber Cell Cracks ₹54.6 Lakh Online Fraud; Three Held in Global Scam Network
A cyber cell team has uncovered a ₹54.6 lakh online fraud involving a global scam syndicate. Three suspects were arrested for orchestrating phishing and social engineering attacks. Authorities are investigating international links and suspect the racket used fake job portals and investment lures to target Indian victims across multiple states.
2. Police Bust International Cybercrime Racket, Arrest Three Key Members
Law enforcement agencies dismantled an international cybercrime racket operating across digital platforms. Three core members were arrested for their roles in online financial scams targeting victims via emails and fake websites. Officials say the accused funneled funds abroad using cryptocurrency wallets, making it a major transnational financial fraud investigation.
3. Himachal Hit by ₹5.91 Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam in 12 Cases, Say Police
Himachal Pradesh Police reported 12 cases of the ‘digital arrest’ scam, with a total loss of ₹5.91 crore. Victims were threatened with fake legal action by fraudsters posing as officials. They were coerced into transferring money under pressure. Authorities are tracing the digital footprints to identify the broader fraud network.
4. Hyderabad Police Arrest Three B.Tech Students in Digital Arrest Fraud Probe
Three B.Tech students in Hyderabad were arrested for allegedly executing a ‘digital arrest’ fraud scheme. The accused impersonated police officials over calls and extorted money by threatening legal action. Police recovered phones and bank details linked to the scam and are investigating potential links to larger cybercrime networks.
5. Retired Banker Duped of ₹4.6 Crore in Online Investment Scam in Kalina
A retired banker in Kalina lost ₹4.6 crore after falling victim to an online investment scam promising high returns. The fraudsters posed as financial advisors and gradually siphoned funds over multiple transactions. A case has been registered, and the cyber cell is working to trace the suspects and recover assets.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Chinese State Hackers Exploit SharePoint Zero-Day to Breach U.S. Government Networks
Chinese cyber-espionage actors reportedly exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint to gain access to sensitive U.S. government networks. The breach allowed attackers to exfiltrate confidential data before detection. Security agencies are probing the incident amid rising concerns about Beijing’s expanding cyber capabilities and targeting of U.S. critical infrastructure.
7. Ukraine, Romania, Moldova Form Regional Cyber Alliance to Boost Digital Defenses
In a move to counter growing cyber threats from hostile actors, Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova have launched a joint cyber alliance. The initiative aims to strengthen regional cybersecurity resilience through shared intelligence, joint training, and coordinated response strategies. Officials stress the importance of unity against Russian cyber operations in Eastern Europe.
8. Akira Ransomware Targets SonicWall VPNs in Suspected Zero-Day Attack on Updated Systems
Akira ransomware operators are suspected of using a zero-day vulnerability in fully patched SonicWall VPN devices to infiltrate enterprise networks. Researchers warn that attackers bypassed traditional defenses, suggesting a previously unknown exploit. This attack highlights growing sophistication in ransomware tactics and the urgent need for advanced network monitoring solutions.
9. Everest Ransomware Hits Mailchimp in Targeted Breach Despite Limited Impact
Mailchimp has reportedly fallen victim to Everest ransomware in a breach affecting a limited number of systems. While the attack did not compromise customer data at scale, experts caution that even small breaches can signal larger vulnerabilities. Everest continues to target organizations with selective, high-pressure extortion demands for data decryption.
10. New SS7 Encoding Exploit Tied to Commercial Spyware Vendors, Say Researchers
Security researchers have uncovered a novel attack exploiting SS7 mobile signaling protocols, linked to surveillance vendors selling spyware to governments. The exploit enables covert tracking and interception of communications across cellular networks. The findings renew scrutiny on global spyware markets and the abuse of telecom infrastructure for state surveillance.