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. 62-Year-Old Defrauded of ₹2.14 Crore in Major Cyber Fraud Case
A 62-year-old man lost ₹2.14 crore after falling victim to an alleged cyber fraud involving fake investment and trading schemes. Fraudsters persuaded him to transfer funds in multiple transactions. Police registered a case and are tracing bank accounts and digital trails linked to the scam.
2. Two Arrested in Lucknow in Linked Cyber Fraud and NDPS Act Cases
Lucknow police arrested two individuals allegedly involved in cyber fraud and violations under the NDPS Act. Investigators said the accused used proceeds from online fraud to fund illegal activities. Digital devices, bank records, and narcotics-related evidence were seized as part of the ongoing probe.
3. Ten Arrested in Digital Fraud and Extortion Racket; Over ₹50 Crore Unearthed
Police busted a large digital fraud and extortion syndicate, arresting ten suspects and uncovering transactions exceeding ₹50 crore. The gang allegedly targeted victims using fake profiles, intimidation tactics, and illegal data access. Authorities described the operation as a major breakthrough against organized cybercrime networks.
4. Investor Loses ₹4.3 Crore Within 48 Hours in Online Scam
An investor lost ₹4.3 crore within just 48 hours after being lured into an online scam promising high returns. Fraudsters used manipulated trading dashboards and pressure tactics to extract funds rapidly. Police warned that speed and urgency are key red flags in investment-related cyber frauds.
5. Tamil Nadu Police Detain Five in Large-Scale Cybercrime Investigation
Tamil Nadu police detained five individuals suspected of involvement in major cybercrime operations, including online fraud and data misuse. Officials seized mobile phones, SIM cards, and financial documents. Authorities said the detentions are part of a broader effort to dismantle interstate cybercrime syndicates.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Popular Chrome Extension Exposed for Intercepting Millions of Users’ AI Chat Conversations
Security researchers revealed that a widely featured Chrome browser extension was secretly intercepting AI chat conversations from millions of users. The extension allegedly captured prompts and responses from AI platforms for analytics or resale. Google has removed the extension and urged users to review permissions and uninstall affected add-ons immediately.
7. VolkLocker Ransomware Broken After Researchers Find Hard-Coded Master Decryption Key
Cybersecurity experts exposed a critical flaw in the VolkLocker ransomware after discovering a hard-coded master decryption key. The weakness allows victims to recover encrypted files without paying ransom. Analysts said the finding undermines the ransomware’s effectiveness and highlights poor operational security among some emerging cybercrime groups.
8. Massive MongoDB Leak Exposes 16TB of Data Containing 4.3 Billion Lead Generation Records
A misconfigured MongoDB database exposed 16 terabytes of data containing 4.3 billion lead generation records, including names, emails, and phone numbers. Researchers warned the dataset could fuel phishing and fraud campaigns. The incident underscores persistent risks from unsecured cloud databases holding large volumes of personal data.
9. Coupang CEO Resigns Following Data Breach Impacting 33.7 Million Users
South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang announced the resignation of its CEO after a data breach exposed information of 33.7 million users. The incident triggered regulatory scrutiny and public backlash. Officials said the breach highlighted gaps in internal security controls and governance at one of Asia’s largest online retail platforms.
10. Phantom Stealer Malware Targets Russian Financial Sector via ISO-Based Phishing Campaigns
Cybersecurity researchers uncovered a phishing campaign spreading Phantom Stealer malware through ISO file attachments targeting Russia’s financial sector. Once deployed, the malware steals credentials, browser data, and financial information. Experts warned the campaign reflects a shift toward more evasive delivery techniques aimed at high-value enterprise targets.
