Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [14.08.2024]: 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. Fraudsters Create Fake Police Email to Freeze accounts and Multiple multiple victims.
Nagpur police busted a cybercrime racket where fraudsters used a fake Nagpur police email ID to freeze bank accounts and extort money from customers to unfreeze them. Two suspects were arrested in Mumbai. The scam, active for 1.5 years, was uncovered after a bank official reported suspicious emails.
2. Cyber Crime Bust: Rs. 2.51 Crore Returned to Victims, Governor Calls for Stronger Security Measures
Himachal Pradesh Police refunded Rs. 2.51 crore to online fraud victims, as revealed during a meeting between DIG Cyber Crime Mohit Chawla and Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla. The Governor emphasized the need for enhanced cybersecurity and public awareness, along specialized training for police to combat rising cybercrimes.
3. ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams Surge in India, Potentially Spreading Globally
A Delhi woman was scammed into paying Rs 200,000 after fraudsters posing as CBI officers claimed her husband was under “digital arrest.” The scammers used fear tactics and fake calls, leading to the arrest of three suspects involved in similar fraudulent activities targeting others.
4. Cyber Scam: 70-Year-Old Defrauded of Rs 1.9 Lakh
A 70-year-old Indore man lost Rs. 1.9 lakh to scammers posing as customer care officers. After downloading a malicious app, the victim’s credit and debit cards were used for transactions. He promptly blocked his accounts and reported the incident to the police, who registered a case.
ALSO READ: FCRF Launches ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ Initiative to Combat Rising Cyber Crime
5. Alert! Indore Residents Targeted by Cybercriminals from Bengaluru and Hyderabad
Indore residents are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals from cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mewat. The city’s cyber desk received 53 complaints within two months, mainly related to UPI fraud and social media hacks. Police recovered over Rs. 3 lakh and froze Rs. 22 lakh in fraudsters’ accounts.
INTERNATIONAL
6. J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk Accused in Cyberbullying Lawsuit by Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Following Olympic Victory
J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in a French lawsuit for aggravated cyber harassment against Olympic champion Imane Khelif. The complaint, filed by Khelif’s lawyer, includes other controversial figures and focuses on abusive online behavior during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
7. France Reports Over 140 Cyberattacks Linked to 2024 Olympics
France reported 140 cyberattacks during the Paris Olympics, none of which disrupted events. The attacks mainly targeted government and infrastructure, with ransomware affecting museums. Despite a higher expected threat level, the cybersecurity agency Anssi confirmed all incidents had low impact on the Games.
ALSO READ: FutureCrime Summit: Biggest Conference on Cyber Crimes Set to Return in February 2025
8. GhostWrite: New T-Head CPU Vulnerabilities Expose Devices to Unrestricted Exploits
Researchers from the CISPA Helmholtz Center identified a serious architectural bug in T-Head’s XuanTie RISC-V CPUs, dubbed GhostWrite, which allows attackers to gain full access to devices by bypassing memory isolation. The flaw can only be mitigated by disabling the CPU’s vector extension, significantly reducing performance.
9. Australia Launches Cyber Command
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) established a Cyber Command within its Joint Capabilities Group, consolidating cyber-warfare units for better integration and management. The new command enhances ADF’s capabilities in cyberspace and information warfare, aligning with the government’s directive to strengthen national cybersecurity efforts.
10. Cybercriminal J.P. Morgan Held Accountable
Maksim Silnikau, a key figure in J.P. Morgan’s cybercrime group, was arrested in Spain. His network developed ransomware and exploit kits, extorting millions globally. Silnikau’s operations, including the Angler Exploit Kit, pioneered ransomware-as-a-service, causing significant financial and emotional harm to victims.