Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [01.08.2024]: 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. Ransomware Attack Disrupts Operations of Hundreds of Small Indian Banks, Reports Indicate
A ransomware attack on C-Edge Technologies forced nearly 300 small Indian banks offline, impacting 0.5% of the country’s payment system. NPCI isolated C-Edge to prevent further damage. The Reserve Bank of India and cyber authorities had previously warned banks of potential cyber threats.
2. Man Loses Nearly Rs 1.75 Crore in Cyber Scam
Sushil Kumar Bhargav, a Panchkula resident, lost Rs 1.75 crore to scammers posing as stock market investors on a WhatsApp group linked through Facebook. They led him through fake investment apps, prompting him to transfer increasing amounts. Suspecting fraud, he reported the crime to the Panchkula cyber police.
3. Five Cybercriminals Apprehended in Nawada, Bihar
Bihar Police arrested five cyber criminals in Nawada district, seizing nine mobile phones and personal documents. The accused, operating from Chakway-Balwapar village, posed as private finance company employees to defraud people. Following a tip-off, police raided the location, capturing five suspects while others escaped.
4. 29-Year-Old Man Detained for Cyber Fraud
Delhi Police arrested Aamir Khan, a 29-year-old from Nuh, Haryana, for cheating a man out of Rs 40,000 through an OLX scam. The victim, who was selling a vacuum cleaner, scanned a QR code sent by Khan, leading to the loss. Police traced and arrested Khan using technical surveillance.
ALSO READ: C-Edge, a TCS and SBI Joint Venture, Hit by a Massive Ransomware Attack
5. Gurugram Resident Scammed Out of Rs 10 Lakh by Cyber Con Artists Through ‘Digital Arrest’
Gurugram resident Ajay Singh Rathore lost Rs 10 lakh to fraudsters posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officers. They claimed his phone and Aadhaar were linked to money laundering, coercing him into transferring money for “verification.” Realizing the scam when the money wasn’t returned, Rathore reported it to the police.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Cybercriminals Utilize Over 100,000 Malware Android Apps to Steal OTP Codes
A large-scale campaign using over 107,000 malicious Android apps has been intercepting OTPs for identity fraud since February 2022. The apps, distributed via deceptive ads and Telegram bots, target SMS messages across 600 global brands. Victims span 113 countries, with India and Russia most affected. The threat actors use the stolen OTPs for fraudulent online account registrations.
7. Germany Summons Chinese Ambassador Regarding 2021 Cyber Assault on Federal Cartography Agency
Germany summoned China’s ambassador over a 2021 cyber attack on the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy by state actors. This marks the first such summons since 1989. Germany condemns these cyber activities and urges responsible behavior in cyberspace. China has faced similar accusations from multiple countries.
ALSO READ: Infosys Accused of Rs 32,000 Crore Tax Evasion Fraud: GST Intelligence Launches Investigation
8. A cyberattack strikes a blood donation center. OneBlood Blood: Implications for the Public
A ransomware attack on OneBlood, a major non-profit blood center, disrupted critical operations, including donation sites and blood unit labeling, affecting over 75 hospitals in South Florida and beyond. Hospitals, including HCA Healthcare, are seeking alternative suppliers to avoid a blood shortage and address patient needs.
9. UK Science Secretary Warns of Britain’s Significant Vulnerability to Cyber Threats: A Researcher’s Commentary
Andrew Peck, a cyber resilience researcher at Loughborough University, supports UK Science Secretary Peter Kyle’s claim that the UK is vulnerable to cyber threats. Highlighting recent cyber attacks, Peck emphasizes the need for resilience and collaboration in the UK’s planned Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to address complex, interrelated digital economy issues.
10. Microsoft Acknowledges New Outage Caused by Cyberattack
On July 30, a DDoS attack triggered a nearly 10-hour outage for Microsoft Azure, affecting services like Office and Outlook. The attack caused performance issues for Azure Front Door and Content Delivery Network. Despite existing protections, a software error worsened the impact. Microsoft plans to release a review of the incident.