Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [30.10.2024]: 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. Chennai Student Caught Using Fake Email to Illegally Reactivate Bank Accounts
The Gujarat CID Cyber Crime Cell arrested a 22-year-old Chennai student, Premraj Rajapandi, for allegedly using a fake email mimicking the state’s cyber helpline to “unfreeze” and divert funds from frozen bank accounts. Rajapandi targeted accounts flagged for suspicious activity, deceiving banks to regain access fraudulently.
2. Dibrugarh Victim Recovers Rs 70 Lakh Lost to Cyber Fraud, Extends Gratitude to Police on Dhanteras
Pankaj Jain from Dibrugarh, Assam, was defrauded of Rs 70 lakh in July by scammers posing as officials from Mumbai’s Cyber Crime Office. Following his report to the cybercrime helpline, diligent efforts by the Cyber Police led to the recovery of his funds, credited back on the auspicious day of Dhanteras.
3. Kerala Youth Return from Cambodia, Expose Abuse and Fraud in Overseas Job Scheme
Seven Malayali youths returned to Kerala from Cambodia after being trapped in a fraudulent job scheme. Promised jobs in Thailand, they were instead forced into cyber fraud activities in Cambodia, enduring abuse and severe injuries. Their statements led local police to register a case, urging urgent intervention for Abin, who remains trapped.
4. High Court’s YouTube Channel Compromised, Kolkata Police Launches Investigation
The Kolkata Police Cyber Crime Unit has launched an investigation into an alleged hacking incident involving the live-streaming of a Calcutta High Court vacation bench session on YouTube. During Justice Subhasish Samanta’s hearing, an explicit video reportedly streamed briefly, prompting a formal complaint from the court’s IT department on Monday.
5. Digital Trap in Mumbai: Woman Extorted for Rs 14 Lakh Under Cyber Duress
A Kandivali West woman in Mumbai was scammed out of Rs 14 lakh by fraudsters posing as Delhi Telecom and Cyber Crime officials, accusing her of money laundering. Under pressure from threats and fake police documents, she transferred funds to “clear her record.” She reported the scam after consulting her son.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Court Calls in Parents of 19-Year-Old Accused in Cyber Crime Case
Justice Ayokunle Faji of Lagos Federal High Court ordered the mother of 19-year-old Chinonso Udeh to appear in court after Udeh, a painter, pleaded guilty to cybercrime charges. The court expressed concern over Udeh’s lack of family support and warned of imprisonment if his mother is absent at the next hearing.
7. NIGC’s Tim Cotton Reflects on Cyber Crime’s Past and Future
Tim Cotton, IT audit manager for the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), emphasized tribal casinos’ cybersecurity improvements amidst rising cyber threats. Cotton highlighted efforts in multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, and vendor regulation to protect tribal assets. Despite ongoing risks, Cotton noted significant progress in tribal cybersecurity defenses since the pandemic.
8. Belgian Police Arrest Two Suspects in Redline, Meta Infostealer Operation
International law enforcement, led by Dutch authorities under Operation Magnus, dismantled the Redline and Meta infostealer networks, seizing servers and arresting two suspects in Belgium. The U.S. charged Maxim Rudometov, alleged Redline developer, with multiple cybercrime-related offenses. The takedown impacted thousands of users and neutralized key malware infrastructure.
9. U.S. Identifies Russian National Allegedly Behind Redline Malware Development
The U.S. has charged Russian national Maxim Rudometov with developing and distributing the Redline infostealer malware, used globally to steal personal and financial data. Years of investigation by the FBI linked Rudometov to the malware through digital traces, including social media, IP addresses, and cryptocurrency accounts, under Operation Magnus.
10. Six Senators Urge Biden Administration to Amend UN Cybercrime Treaty
Six U.S. senators urged the Biden administration to revise the U.N. cybercrime convention, citing concerns over privacy, human rights, and cybersecurity. They warned that the treaty, originally proposed by Russia, could empower authoritarian regimes to surveil citizens and limit freedoms. The treaty awaits a U.N. General Assembly vote.