Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [09.08.2024]: 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. Nagpur Police Chief Launches “Cyber Club” to Tackle Online Crime
Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr. Ravindrakumar Singal inaugurated the “Cyber Club” at Ramdeobaba College to raise cyber awareness among students and prevent online fraud. The club will establish committees in schools and colleges, promote cyber safety, and facilitate swift reporting of cybercrimes. The initiative aims to protect youth from digital threats.

2. Kerala Bishop Scammed of Rs 15 Lakh by Online Fraudsters, FIR Registered
A Kerala bishop was defrauded of Rs 15 lakh by cybercriminals posing as CBI officers investigating a money laundering case linked to Naresh Goyal. The fraudsters convinced him to transfer funds to a “secret service account.” Realizing the scam, the bishop filed a police complaint to warn others

3. Two cybercriminals arrested in Rajasthan
Two Beawar natives, Nanda Kishore and Deepak Vaishnav, were arrested by Telangana Cyber Security Bureau for financial fraud. They lured a victim, Gajengi Sathaiah, into investing in the stock market through a fake company and WhatsApp group, promising high returns. The fraudulent company was found to be nonexistent.

4. Ludhiana: Ex-Bank Manager Scammed Out of Rs 10 Lakh in Online Fraud
A retired Punjab National Bank manager, Bhupinder Kumar Vij, lost Rs 10 lakh in cyber fraud after clicking a malicious Facebook link and sharing his phone screen with the scammer. The fraudster transferred the money, including an Rs 8 lakh loan approved without verification, from Vij’s account. An FIR has been lodged, and police are investigating.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS : Jharkhand CID Dismantles International Cyber Slavery Network

5. Cybercriminals Embezzling Rs 100 Crore Daily Nationwide, Rs 30L from City: CP Singal
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal revealed that cyber criminals in India siphon off Rs 100 crore daily, with Nagpur losing Rs 30 lakhs each day. During the launch of Nagpur’s first “cyber club,” Singal emphasized proactive awareness to combat cybercrime, highlighting the club’s role in aiding victims and preventing crimes like sextortion. The initiative aims to establish cyber clubs in every educational institution.

INTERNATIONAL

6. UN Endorses Groundbreaking Cybercrime Treaty Amid Surveillance, Human Rights Worries
The UN approved its first treaty against cybercrime, despite concerns from human rights activists and tech companies about potential global surveillance. The treaty aims to combat cybercrime, including child abuse imagery and money laundering, but critics warn it could be used for repression. It now awaits formal adoption by the General Assembly.

7. CyberSecurity Malaysia Introduces Digital Resilience Initiative
CyberSecurity Malaysia launched its Digital Resilience Program, developed with a leading cyber risk advisory firm, to enhance cybersecurity for large corporations, SMEs, and individuals. The program offers solutions like cyber takaful and risk management to tackle evolving digital threats. A forum featuring industry experts marked the program’s preview, highlighting its importance for safeguarding sensitive data and digital assets.

ALSO READ: Zero Tolerance: Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh Fires SI, Transfers DCP, SHO in Bribery Case

8. North Korean Cyber Espionage Group Targets University Academics
North Korea-linked hacking group Kimsuky targeted university staff, researchers, and professors with spear-phishing attacks for intelligence gathering. Using the Green Dinosaur web shell and fake login pages for universities and Naver, they aimed to steal credentials. The attacks also involved phishing emails via a custom tool called SendMail. Multi-factor authentication is recommended to counteract these threats.

9. Interpol Cracks Down on Major Business Email Fraud and Recovers Over $40 Million
Interpol recovered over $40 million from a business email compromise (BEC) scam that targeted a Singapore-based firm, highlighting the threat of email-based fraud. Using the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) system, authorities quickly traced and frozen the stolen funds, arresting suspects in Timor Leste.

10. A Phishing phishing attack exploits Google Drawings and WhatsApp Short URLs
Researchers have uncovered a phishing scheme using Google Drawings and shortened WhatsApp links to trick users into revealing sensitive information. The campaign directs victims to a fake Amazon login page via obfuscated URLs, leveraging trusted services to bypass security measures. Meanwhile, a Microsoft 365 loophole may further expose users to phishing risks.