Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [28.10.2024]: 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. Cyber Police Arrest Six in Major Pre-Diwali Crackdown on Online Scams
In a significant anti-fraud operation, Dwarka Cyber Police arrested six individuals linked to cryptocurrency scams, child modeling frauds, and fake electricity bill alerts across Jaipur, Rajasthan, and New Delhi. Over 110 complaints were filed against them, with transactions worth nearly Rs5 crore traced. Key evidence, including mobile phones and SIM cards, was recovered.
2. UP Man Arrested for Defrauding Dehradun Resident in Rs3 Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
In a joint operation, Uttarakhand STF and state cyber police arrested Manoj Kumar, 27, from Bahraich, UP, for defrauding a Dehradun resident of Rs3 crore through a “digital arrest” scam. Posing as a Mumbai police officer, Kumar intimidated the victim into transferring funds. Over Rs6 crore transactions were linked to his account, with investigations ongoing to identify accomplices.
3. Two Years Later, Police File Case Against Online Fraud
A Chandigarh resident lost Rs2.4 lakh to fraudsters impersonating his cousin, who claimed the victim’s nephew was arrested in Canada. Believing the scam, he transferred the amount for “bail.” After failed attempts to file a complaint, a court directed local police to register an FIR and investigate.
4. Women Scammed of Rs46 Lakh by Cybercriminals Through Stock Market Lures and Threats
Two Pune women lost a total of Rs46 lakh to cyber scams involving fake stock market returns and threats of police action. One woman was tricked into investing Rs26.25 lakh with promises of high returns, while another paid Rs20 lakh under threat of false police charges. Investigations are underway.
5. Hyderabad Techie Endures 30-Hour Ordeal in ‘Digital Arrest’ Trap
A 44-year-old Hyderabad techie narrowly escaped a 30-hour “digital arrest” by cyber criminals posing as FedEx agents and police. They forced him into isolation, making him check into a lodge while on a video call. He managed to contact cybercrime police when the call unexpectedly dropped, prompting a swift investigation.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Change Healthcare Data Breach Exposes Over 100 Million Records in Largest U.S. Healthcare Hack
A February ransomware attack on Change Healthcare exposed the private health information of over 100 million people, resulting in prolonged outages across the U.S. healthcare sector. UnitedHealth Group, which owns the company, confirmed the breach’s vast impact, noting it affected a significant portion of Americans’ healthcare data.
7. CICC and JuanHand Partner to Enhance Safety in Online Lending
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and online lender JuanHand have partnered to enhance security in online lending for underserved, creditworthy individuals. Signed on October 18, their Memorandum of Agreement aims to improve data sharing, cyber capabilities, and joint efforts against cybercrime within the fintech lending sector.
8. UK Court Sentences Alexander McCartney for ‘Catfishing’ Thousands, Including American Teen Who Died by Suicide
Alex McCartney, a 26-year-old from Northern Ireland, was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years for orchestrating the UK’s largest “catfishing” case. Convicted of 185 charges, McCartney targeted 70 child victims, leading to tragic consequences, including the suicide of 12-year-old American Cimarron Thomas. Authorities condemned his exploitation and abuse.
9. NAB Warns Coldplay Fans of Ticket Scams, Urges Caution Amid ‘Rush of Blood’
Fans eager to attend sold-out concerts, including Coldplay’s world tour, are being cautioned against ticket scams on social media and online marketplaces. In recent months, NAB customers abandoned $160,000 in suspicious ticket payments, averaging $1,700 each, with more women than men heeding alerts to avoid fraud.
10. SEC Charges Four Firms Over Misleading Disclosures on SolarWinds Cyber Attack
The SEC has charged Avaya, Check Point, Mimecast, and Unisys for misleading disclosures after the 2020 SolarWinds cyberattack. Each company downplayed the breach’s impact, leading to fines totaling nearly $7 million. The SEC emphasized transparency to protect investors, citing Unisys’s and Avaya’s failure to fully disclose data exposure.