Daily Cybercrime Brief by Future Crime Researchers [23.04.2024] : Cyber Espionage, Ranveer Singh Deepfake Video and more

Published

4 weeks ago

April 23, 2024

Gurugram Police Capture Four Cyber Criminals Involved in Scamming Victims of Rs 4.5 Crore

Gurugram cyber police arrest four individuals for defrauding people across India of over Rs 4.5 crore.
Recovered items from the accused include four mobile phones and Rs 32,000 cash.
Examination of SIM cards and data from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center reveals the extent of the fraud.
The accused, identified as Nitish, Monu, Ravikant, and Vikas Kumar, hail from Rajasthan and Bihar.
The fraud involved phone calls deceiving victims into online money transfers, share market investments, and fake loan offers. 1,378 complaints and 64 cases have been filed against them, with investigations ongoing.

Son of UP Mafia Don Swindled of Rs 11 Lakh by Cyber Criminal

Siddharth Singh, son of mafia don Brijesh Singh, was deceived of Rs 11 lakh by a cyber scammer promising him a dealership of a branded paint company.
An FIR has been filed based on Singh’s complaint, citing sections of cheating, forgery, and IT Act violations.
Singh responded to an online advertisement for the dealership, contacting Amit Singley, who claimed to be the company director.
Singley instructed Singh to deposit the required amount in a Mumbai bank account, providing account details and confirmation of receipt.
Upon discovering Singley’s deception, Singh filed a complaint, realizing he had been defrauded by a scammer issuing fake documents.

Exercise Caution: Mobile App Installations Could Lead to Cyber Espionage

European researchers warn mobile phone users against downloading random messaging apps due to a rising cyber espionage threat.
A recent discovery by ESET reveals a sophisticated cyber espionage campaign targeting Indian and Pakistani mobile users.
Cybercriminals distributed open-source malware through fake websites and the Google App Store, tricking users into downloading .apk files.
Deceptive apps contained Android RAT XploitSPY, sourced from a GitHub account, disguised as genuine messaging applications.
The campaign, active since November 2021, focused primarily on users in India and Pakistan, involving at least 13 malicious apps published by GitHub user Sojal87.

Cyber Crime Cell Initiates FIR Following Actor’s Complaint on Ranveer Singh Deepfake Video

Ranveer Singh files FIR with Mumbai Police Cyber Crime Cell regarding a deepfake video of himself.
The actor had previously warned about the dangers of deepfake technology on his social media account.
The deepfake video utilized original footage of Singh from a recent Varanasi visit but featured altered audio.
Following viral deepfake videos of other celebrities, including Rashmika Mandanna, Alia Bhatt, and Nora Fatehi, concerns over misuse of AI technology have increased.
Ranveer Singh’s spokesperson confirms the FIR, stating that legal action has been taken against the handle responsible for promoting the AI-generated deepfake video

Annual Cybercrime Costs India Rs 70k Crore as Criminal Tactics Escalate

Cyber fraud in India, including scams like the ‘FedEx scam’, is a significant issue, costing the economy an estimated Rs 70,000 crore annually.
The majority of incidents involve stealing relatively small amounts, typically under Rs 50,000, which may not garner widespread attention.
Former IPS officer and cybersecurity expert Prof Triveni Singh highlights how scammers gradually escalate their theft amounts, starting with small sums and progressing to larger amounts as they gain confidence and understanding of their victims.
Scammers often utilize “mule accounts,” paying individuals like day laborers or shopkeepers to use their bank accounts for transferring stolen money, making it difficult for authorities to trace the funds back to the perpetrators.
Popular scams include courier scams like the recent FedEx scam, job scams where victims pay fees for non-existent jobs, and investment scams where scammers lure victims with promises of high returns before disappearing with the invested money.

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