Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [26.10.2024]: 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. Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing Uncovers FedEx Scam Network Linked to Bangladesh
The Cyber Crime Wing of Tamil Nadu dismantled a FedEx scam network directed by a Dhaka-based kingpin. Seven individuals were arrested for defrauding a Chennai resident of Rs1.18 crore. Posing as FedEx staff and cybercrime officers, the scammers coerced the victim into transferring funds to “prove” innocence in a fabricated investigation.
2. Cyber Criminals Hold Elderly Woman in ‘Digital Arrest’
In Varanasi’s Hukulganj, cyber criminals posing as CBI officers defrauded 65-year-old Neena Kaura of Rs32.40 lakh. The scammers, contacting her from Mumbai, held her under “digital arrest” for 48 hours, coercing her into transferring funds by threatening severe consequences if she alerted anyone.
3. Telangana Youth Tricked into ‘Chinese Scam Centres’ with Fake Job Offers
Four youths from Jagtial, Telangana, were lured to Laos under false job promises, only to be forced into cybercrime by Chinese syndicates. The victims, coerced into defrauding NRIs through fake profiles, endured severe abuse. With help from a local contact, they returned to India on October 7.
4. Cyber Crime Police Seize 49 Stolen Smartphones
The Cyber Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU) of Doda Police successfully recovered 49 lost smartphones valued at Rs7.53 lakh, traced to various states including Rajasthan and Delhi. SSP Doda, Mohd. Aslam, returned the devices to their grateful owners, advising the public to safeguard personal devices to prevent misuse.
5. Public Alert: Stay Cautious of Scammers Impersonating Law Enforcement Officials
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police have issued a warning about rising scams involving WhatsApp calls from +92 numbers. Impersonating CID and CBI officers, fraudsters exploit parents’ emotions, falsely claiming their children face serious charges or have been kidnapped, then demanding bribes. Public caution is advised.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Europol’s Operation Cronos Track Down LockBit Ransomware Affiliates
Operation Cronos, involving 10 law enforcement agencies, is actively dismantling the LockBit ransomware network. Europol’s digital forensics team has secured 2,500 decryption keys, frozen 200 cryptocurrency accounts, and detained multiple affiliates. Authorities are tracing LockBit’s structure, including its leader Dmitry Khoroshev, with a $10 million bounty offered.
7. FGGA’s Cyberweek Highlights Education in Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation
During Cyberweek from October 17-24, the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) in Tthe Hague presented its research and educational initiatives on cybersecurity and digital innovation. Faculty, staff, and students engaged in discussions, sharing insights on cybersecurity’s societal impacts and showcasing diverse academic programs related to digital advancements.
8. SEC Accuses Four Firms of Deceptive Disclosures Regarding SolarWinds Cyberattack
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Avaya, Check Point, Mimecast, and Unisys for providing misleading disclosures about the 2020 SolarWinds cyberattack, downplaying its extent and violating securities laws. Avaya, Check Point, Mimecast, and Unisys agreed to settle with fines totaling nearly $7 million, with Unisys facing additional disclosure violations.
9. North Korean IT Workers in Western Companies Now Extorting Ransom for Stolen Data
North Korean IT workers infiltrating Western companies under false identities are now demanding ransom to prevent data leaks, escalating prior intellectual property theft tactics. Often posing as freelancers in China or Russia, they reroute company-issued laptops, access proprietary data, and sometimes work under multiple aliases within the same organization.
10. Interpol’s Global Initiative to Combat Cybercrime
Celebrating a century of operation, Interpol unites 196 countries to combat global crime, with cybercrime now a primary focus. Neal Jetton, head of Interpol’s cybercrime unit, told Computerworld Spain that collaborative efforts with global agencies are making the world increasingly safer. An interview follows with key insights.