Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [20.01.2025]: 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. Rajasthan Police Busts Cybercrime Gang Behind Fake ‘Premium’ Porn Website
Rajasthan Police arrested six youths, including 18-year-old mastermind, for running a fake porn site targeting tribal users. The gang lured victims with promises of premium content, charging nominal fees. Police seized Rs 19.6 lakh cash and a tractor gifted his father. All accused are aged 18-22 from Banswara district.
2. Bengaluru Techie Duped of Rs 11 Crore in Cybercrime; Three Arrested
A Bengaluru techie lost Rs 11 crore in a cyber scam after fraudsters impersonating officials threatened him with arrest in a money laundering case. The victim shared personal details, enabling the gang to siphon funds. Police arrested three accused and traced Rs 7.5 crore to one account. Investigations are ongoing.
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3. Shocking SIM Swap Scam: Bengaluru Techie Loses Rs 2.8 Crore
A Bengaluru techie lost Rs 2.8 crore in a cyber scam involving a gifted phone with pre-installed apps that diverted OTPs to fraudsters. In another case, criminals posing as officials defrauded money from a tech professional. Police traced an account and investigations are ongoing.
4. Three Arrested in Cyber Fraud Investigation
Pimpri Chinchwad police arrested three men for using youths’ bank accounts in a Rs 67.69 lakh cyber fraud linked to share market scams. The accused, lured victims with fake job offers. Police are pursuing a fourth suspect, Suraj Khedekar, from Mumbai.
5. Two Ludhiana Residents Defrauded of Rs 82 Lakh in Online Scams
Two Ludhiana residents lost Rs 82 lakh in separate investment frauds. He was duped of Rs 22.18 lakh by scammers promising quick profits, while another lost Rs 60 lakh in an online trading scam. Police registered cases under BNS, IPC, and IT Act, and investigations are underway to trace the accused.
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6. Scotland Faces Fraud Crisis as Over 80% of Cases Remain Unsolved: Labour
Scotland faces a fraud epidemic, with cases soaring 140% in a decade, while the clear-up rate dropped from 50.6% to 16.5%. Cybercrime accounts for 59% of frauds, with most perpetrators outside Scotland. Police plan a new cyber and fraud division to tackle rising online crimes and enhance anti-fraud efforts.
7. Dubai Police Bust Global Gang, Prevent $36 Million Online Fraud
Dubai Police highlighted proactive measures to combat cybercrime, including AI for fraud detection and public awareness campaigns. A major $36 million fraud, the Monopoly case, was thwarted, and fake website scams were dismantled. Authorities emphasized quick reporting, vigilance, and education to prevent phishing, fake sites, job scams, and gaming-related frauds.
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8. TikTok Blackout in U.S. as Federal Ban Begins January 19, 2025
TikTok has gone dark in the U.S. following a federal ban effective January 19, 2025, over national security concerns tied to its Chinese ownership. The Supreme Court upheld the law mandating ByteDance to sell TikTok or face restrictions. Other ByteDance apps, including CapCut and Lemon8, were also removed.
9. U.S. Sanctions Chinese Cybersecurity Firm Over Treasury Hack Linked to Silk Typhoon
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned a Chinese cybersecurity firm and cyber actor linked to Silk Typhoon for hacking Treasury systems, stealing sensitive data. Sanctions also target Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology for cyberattacks on U.S. telecoms. New FCC rules and CISA warnings aim to bolster defenses against escalating Chinese cyber threats.
10. Python Bots Exploit PHP Servers to Boost Gambling Platform Growth
Cybersecurity researchers uncovered a campaign exploiting PHP-based servers to promote Indonesian gambling sites. Attackers deploy Python-based bots and GSocket to install malicious PHP files, targeting platforms like Moodle. The sites redirect search engine users to gambling domains. Experts advise updating plugins, scanning for rogue accounts, and using firewalls to mitigate risks.