Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [05.08.2024]: 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. Mumbai Police Recovers Rs 100 Crore in Cyber Fraud Cases, Resolves 35,918 Complaints
Mumbai Police recovered Rs 100 crore from cyber fraudsters, resolving 35,918 complaints in seven months. Victims reported frauds involving share trading, investment schemes, and online transactions via the cyber helpline 1930. DCP Dutta Nalawade emphasized the helpline’s effectiveness and warned about evolving fraud methods, urging immediate reporting of financial cyber crimes.

2. Individual Arrested for Defrauding Man of Rs 38 Lakh
Vadodara cybercrime police arrested Amit Pithadiya from Ahmedabad for defrauding Rajiv Chauhan of Rs 38 lakh. Pithadiya, part of a cyber fraud gang, sold his bank account for fraudulent transactions worth over ₹1.5 crore. Chauhan was duped through fake stock market investment ads on Facebook and WhatsApp. Investigations are ongoing.

3. 13,000 Victims in Vizag Fall Victim to Cybercrime, Losses Total Rs 100 Crore
In Visakhapatnam, over 13,000 people have lost around Rs 100 crore to cybercrime, with Rs 18 crore frozen in bank accounts. The police have released Rs 4.6 crore to 150 victims. Cybercrimes include phishing, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency scams. Prompt reporting can help freeze funds and recover losses, according to authorities.

4. RailTel Partners with Cylus to Enhance Cybersecurity for Indian Railways
RailTel has partnered with cybersecurity firm Cylus to enhance Indian Railways’ cybersecurity. This collaboration will integrate Cylus’ advanced technology, CylusOne, to protect critical railway systems like signaling and control. The partnership also includes specialized cybersecurity training to bolster defenses, marking a significant upgrade in Indian Railways’ cybersecurity framework.

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5. Fraudsters Hold Victims on Camera for Hours, Pretending to Arrest Them
Pune cyber police reported four recent incidents where fraudsters, posing as senior officers from state or central agencies, conducted ‘digital arrests’ of victims, keeping them on camera for 12 hours to three days. Victims were tricked into compliance, often for fake parcel fraud and money laundering cases.

INTERNATIONAL

6. Major Internet Disruption Hits Israel Before Alleged Iranian Strike, Tech Glitch Suspected
Ahead of Iran’s retaliatory attack for Haniyeh’s assassination, Israeli residents in central Israel experienced GPS disruptions affecting navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze. Some Tel Aviv motorists were misled to believe they were in Beirut, according to the Times of Israel.

7. CrowdStrike Denies Responsibility for Delta Airlines Cyber Outage
CrowdStrike denied responsibility for Delta Airlines’ flight disruptions caused by the July 19 global outage affecting over 8 million computers. In a letter, CrowdStrike expressed disappointment with Delta’s allegations, strongly rejecting claims of gross negligence or misconduct while reiterating its apology to the airline.

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8. Surge in Ransomware Attributed to Use of Off-The-Shelf Code
Kaspersky’s report attributes the rise in ransomware attacks to ‘off-the-shelf’ ransomware, with a 30% increase in targeted groups and a 71% rise in known victims. Leaked code, like LockBit 3.0, enables easy creation of custom ransomware. Kaspersky advises robust security measures and continuous education to counter evolving threats.

9. Viettel Cyber Security Exposes Philippine Cyber Vulnerabilities: Over 315,000 Compromised Accounts in First Half of 2024
In the first half of 2024, Viettel Cyber Security reported 315,000 compromised credentials, 17,456 phishing attacks, and numerous data breaches in the Philippines, affecting mainly government and education sectors. Despite the threats, many organizations remain overly confident. Viettel urges robust cybersecurity measures and awareness to combat escalating cyber risks.

10. Department of Justice and FTC Sue TikTok Over Violations of Children’s Privacy Regulations
The U.S. Department of Justice and FTC sued TikTok for violating children’s privacy laws by allowing minors to create accounts and collect their data without parental consent, breaching COPPA and a 2019 consent order. TikTok disputes the claims, citing improved safeguards and features for protecting minors.