Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [08.08.2024]: Click here to Know More
3 min readImportant 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. Four Arrested for Impersonating Narcotics Officers; Cyber Cell of Pimpri-Chinchwad Takes Action
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Cyber Cell arrested four individuals for defrauding a woman of Rs 24.99 lakh by impersonating Narcotics Department officials. The suspects accessed the victim’s mobile via Skype and conducted transactions exceeding two crore rupees. The police linked the suspects to 67 cases and arrested them from Jalgaon and Surat.
2. YouTuber “Biryani Man” Arrested for Offending Religious Sentiments in Separate Case
YouTuber “Biryani Man” was arrested by East Zone Cyber Crime police for making derogatory remarks about Christianity in a video. Previously, he was arrested for indecent comments about women visiting Semmozhi Poonga. He faces charges under the IT Act and the Indecent Representation of Women Act.
3. Real-Life ‘Ladies vs Ricky Bahl’: Cyber Casanova Scams Over 50 Women in Gujarat
Dhiren Kareliya, a 37-year-old man from Rajkot, conned over 50 women out of lakhs of rupees by posing as a successful professional online. Vadodara cybercrime police arrested him after a meticulous investigation initiated by a woman’s complaint. He used fake photos and sweet-talked victims into sending money.
4. Meet ‘Broseph’: The Viral Social Worker Aiding Bengaluru in Combating Cyber Scams and Stalking
Abraham Biggs, a 19-year-old from Florida, died by suicide on a live stream, prompting Dushyant Dubey in Ahmedabad to alert authorities. This incident inspired Dushyant, now known as “St Broseph” or “Batman of Bengaluru,” to dedicate his life to helping others, founding an NGO with over 8,000 volunteers.
ALSO READ: CBI Captures Fugitive Declared Dead by Court in SBI Fraud Case
5. Hyderabad Resident Scammed Out of Rs 11 Lakh by Phone Fraudsters
A 31-year-old Hyderabad resident lost Rs 11.20 lakh to fraudsters posing as TRAI and Mumbai Police officials. They falsely linked him to a money laundering case and pressured him into transferring money. Suspecting further demands, he reported the scam to cybercrime police, who initiated an investigation and advised vigilance against suspicious calls.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Police Recover $40M Stolen in Business Email Scam in Just Two Days
Interpol recovered over $40 million in just two days after a Singaporean company reported a $42.3 million business email compromise scam. The funds were intercepted in Timor-Leste, leading to seven arrests and the recovery of additional money. This case highlights the importance of swift, coordinated international efforts to combat cybercrime.
7. Darktrace Reports Persistent Cybercrime-as-a-Service Threats Throughout 2024
Darktrace’s “First 6: Half-Year Threat Report 2024” highlights persistent cyber threats and new attack methods, with Malware-as-a-Service and Ransomware-as-a-Service dominating. Key threats include information-stealing malware, trojans, and phishing. Notable trends include the rise of Qilin ransomware and exploitation of vulnerabilities in edge infrastructure devices
ALSO READ: Escape from Cyber Hell: How 14 Indians Were Rescued from Cambodian Scam Centers
8. UK Health Services Call-Handling Vendor Fined $7.7M Over 2022 Ransomware Attack
The UK’s ICO plans to fine Advanced Computer Software Group £6.09 million for security failures leading to a 2022 ransomware attack by LockBit. The breach exposed data of 82,946 people, including sensitive information and home access details. The ICO’s provisional findings cite inadequate security measures and lack of multi-factor authentication.
9. McLaren Health Care Confirms Criminal Cyber Attack Disrupted IT and Phone Systems
McLaren Health Care confirmed a criminal cyber attack disrupted its IT and phone systems. While it’s unclear if patient or employee data was compromised, operations remain mostly functional. Non-emergency appointments and procedures are being rescheduled. This attack follows a previous ransomware incident reported in 2023.
10. A New UN Cyber Crime Treaty Could Promote “Sexual Rights” for Children
Western countries are pushing for exceptions in a new cybercrime treaty to decriminalize certain forms of child pornography, including sexting and AI-generated content. They argue for reduced penalties in consensual situations. However, many countries oppose these exceptions, citing concerns about protecting children and maintaining current legal standards. The treaty is expected to be adopted soon.