Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [20.09.2024]: 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. MNGL Bills Targeted: Senior Citizens Become New Victims of Cyber Scams
In Pune, an 88-year-old woman lost Rs 9.5 lakh to cyber fraud, followed by two senior citizens who fell victim to similar scams involving fake Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd. (MNGL) bills. The Pune Cyber Crime police have registered 16 cases since May, with elderly individuals losing a total of Rs 1.06 crore to phishing scams.
2. Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Arrest Man in Extortion Case
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime police arrested a Bengaluru man, Riddh Bedi, for extorting money from an NRI by posing as a woman on social media. Bedi used stolen identities to befriend and blackmail victims, threatening to share their photos with family members unless they paid up.
ALSO READ: Join The Movement: Registration Open for ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ Event by FCRF on October 17
3. Assam Police Dismantle Cybercrime Syndicate in Morigaon; 8 Suspects Caught
Assam police arrested eight individuals involved in a cybercrime racket in Morigaon suspected of phishing and fake loan scams. The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation. Authorities are verifying additional suspects’ identities and conducting interrogations to dismantle the interstate cybercrime network.
4. Software Engineer Scammed of Rs 30 Lakh in Parcel Delivery Fraud
A software engineer in Pune lost Rs 30 lakh to cyber fraud when scammers impersonating Mumbai cyber police forced her to take a Rs 20 lakh loan and transfer the amount to their account. The victim reported the fraud to the police after realizing she had been duped.
5. Anesthesia Specialist Defrauded of Rs 3 Crore in Cyber Heist
A Thane-based anesthesiologist lost Rs 3 crore in an online scam after fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials convinced her that her bank accounts were under investigation for money laundering. The scammers persuaded her to transfer the amount in installments, promising to return it, but disappeared with the funds.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Exploding Pagers and Radios in Lebanon: A Look at Israel’s Cyber Warfare Unit 8200
Israel’s Unit 8200 helped orchestrate an operation to sabotage Hezbollah by inserting explosives into pages and radios. This caused explosions across Lebanon, killing Hezbollah operatives. Mossad also participated in the operation, while Israeli officials remained silent.
7. NSA, FBI Warn of Chinese-Linked Hackers Hijacking Routers, IoT Devices for Botnets
The NSA, FBI, U.S. Cyber Command, and allies identified Chinese botnets compromising IoT devices, potentially executing DDoS attacks. Managed by Integrity Technology Group, linked to China’s government, these botnets have infected over 260,000 devices, posing a global cyber threat.
ALSO READ: Don’t Miss FCRF’s Round Table on CryptoCrime, Regulation, and Blockchain Forensics on September 23
8. German Authorities Crack Down on 47 Illegal Crypto Exchange Platforms in Cybercrime Operation
German authorities shut down 47 cryptocurrency exchange services that enabled cybercriminals to conduct anonymous transactions, bypassing anti-money laundering protocols. This move continues Germany’s crackdown on illegal digital currency operations, with further investigations to follow.
9. Port of Seattle Official Highlights Cybersecurity Challenges in Dealing with Federal Agencies
Rhysida ransomware attacked Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, highlighting critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. Despite federal cybersecurity recommendations, airports often delay improvements. The incident caused system outages, but flights remained mostly unaffected.Experts urge consolidating best practices and improving feedback loops to protect critical infrastructure from increasing cyber threats like ransomware.
10. Hackers Use Default Credentials in FOUNDATION Software to Breach Construction Companies
The construction sector is being targeted through FOUNDATION Accounting Software, where attackers are brute-forcing login attempts using default credentials. Companies are advised to rotate passwords, secure servers, and disable risky features to prevent exploitation of their systems.