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. Surat Cyber Police Bust Two Gangs in ₹19.70 Crore Fraud; Eight Arrested
Surat’s cybercrime unit dismantled two gangs accused of orchestrating a ₹19.70 crore cyber fraud. Eight people were arrested in coordinated raids. Police said the gangs duped victims through investment scams and fake loan offers. Officials stressed stronger digital vigilance as cross-border fraud operations continue to expand rapidly in India.
2. ₹1.8 Crore Cyber Scam Trail Traced to Jhalawar; One Arrested
Police probing a ₹1.8 crore cyber scam traced its operations to Jhalawar, Rajasthan, and arrested one suspect. Investigators said the fraud involved phishing calls and deceptive banking links. The arrest is part of a wider crackdown on organized cybercriminals operating across states with the help of shell accounts.
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3. Jharkhand Police Bust Interstate Online Fraud, Nab One Accused
Jharkhand police arrested one man in connection with an interstate online fraud racket. Authorities said the group lured victims through fake trading and loan platforms, siphoning money into multiple accounts. Digital devices were seized, and officials confirmed the network had links across several states. Further arrests are expected.
4. Bapatla Police Solve ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam, Arrest Two Fraudsters
Bapatla police cracked a “digital arrest” case, apprehending two fraudsters who posed as law enforcement officers to extort money. The accused coerced victims into transferring funds under fabricated charges. Police recovered incriminating devices and warned the public about rising cases of intimidation scams exploiting fear of legal consequences.
5. Man Sentenced to Two Years’ Rigorous Imprisonment for Online Blackmail of Woman
A local court sentenced a man to two years of rigorous imprisonment for blackmailing a woman he met online. Prosecutors said he threatened to leak private photos to extort money. The case underscores growing concerns over cyber harassment and the judiciary’s push for deterrent punishment in digital exploitation crimes.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Hong Kong Reports HK$3.6 Billion in Cybercrime Losses as Hackers Exploit AI Tools
Hong Kong police reported cybercrime losses of HK$3.6 billion in 2024, with hackers increasingly deploying AI-driven tools to automate scams and frauds. Cases included investment fraud, phishing, and identity theft. Authorities warned businesses and individuals to strengthen defenses as AI accelerates the speed and scale of digital crime.
7. Interpol Arrests 260 Across Africa in Sextortion Cases Involving Fake IDs and Blackmail Videos
Interpol announced the arrest of 260 suspects across 25 African nations in a sextortion crackdown. Criminals used fake IDs and explicit video threats to extort victims. Authorities seized digital devices and dismantled organized rings, underscoring the global spread of online sexual blackmail targeting both minors and adults.
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8. UK Nursery Hack Exposes Data of Over 8,000 Children, Reports Say
UK media reported a cyberattack on a nursery group that exposed data on more than 8,000 children. The breach included personal records, raising concerns about child safety and identity theft. Investigators are probing the attack, which highlights vulnerabilities in education-sector systems handling sensitive information.
9. Fake Ukraine Police Notices Used to Spread Amatera Stealer and PureMiner Malware
Researchers uncovered a campaign distributing fake Ukraine police notices to deliver Amatera Stealer and PureMiner malware. Victims were tricked into opening malicious attachments that harvested credentials and deployed crypto-miners. Cybersecurity experts warned of increased geopolitical-themed phishing tactics designed to exploit fear and urgency for rapid infection.
10. New XCSSET macOS Variant Targets Firefox with Clipper and Persistence Capabilities
A new variant of the XCSSET malware targeting macOS was discovered, designed to compromise Firefox browsers. The malware uses a clipper module to hijack cryptocurrency transactions and a persistence mechanism to survive reboots. Security researchers urged Mac users to update defenses as threat actors expand their focus beyond Safari.
