Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [19.11.2024]: 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. Elderly Man, 80, Scammed of Rs 1.2 Crore by Fraudsters Impersonating Police and CBI Officers
An 80-year-old Bandra resident lost Rs 1.2 crore in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam. Posing as police and CBI officers, fraudsters accused him of money laundering, threatened arrest, and coerced him to transfer funds for “verification.” Realizing the fraud later, he reported the incident to Mumbai Cyber Police.
2. Hyderabad Police Arrest Cyber Fraudster Who Scammed 200 OLX Sellers
Hyderabad police arrested a 35-year-old computer engineering graduate from Tirupati, for duping 200 OLX users of Rs 60 lakh since 2018. Naidu reposted pre-owned mobile ads, posed as a mediator, and manipulated UPI transactions. The fraudster spent the money on betting apps and faces multiple complaints across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
3. Two Assam Residents Arrested in ‘Digital Arrest’ Fraud Case
Punjab Police cybercrime division dismantled an inter-state gang involved in “digital arrest” scams, arresting two Assam-based suspects. Operating from Kamrup district, the gang exploited victims by impersonating law enforcement. A 76-year-old retired officer lost Rs 76 lakh, while calls traced to Cambodia and Hong Kong deepened the investigation.
4. Two more held for cheating man of Rs 96.57 lakh in Madurai
The district cyber wing police arrested two more suspects in a Rs 96.57 lakh online trading scam. Earlier, six individuals were arrested, and Rs 38.28 lakh was seized from frozen accounts. Following their confessions, two were were arrested, with Rs 3.25 lakh recovered, bringing the total arrests to eight.
5. Delhi Police Nab Chinese National in Rs 100 Crore Online Stock Trading Cyber Fraud
Delhi’s Shahdara Cyber Police arrested Chinese national Fang Chenjin for a Rs 43.5 lakh online stock trading scam linked to Rs 100 crore in cyber fraud. Investigations revealed connections to money laundering cases in Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, and 17 complaints tied to a single Fincare Bank account, ANI reported.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Chinese Hacking Group “Salt Typhoon” Targets T-Mobile in US Telecom Breach Spree
T-Mobile has fallen victim to a cyberespionage campaign by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, identified as Salt Typhoon. A joint advisory from CISA and the FBI on November 15, 2024, revealed these hackers infiltrated multiple US telecom networks, stealing customer data and intercepting private communications in a sophisticated breach.
7. New BabbleLoader Malware Identified Delivering WhiteSnake and Meduza Stealers
Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered BabbleLoader, a stealthy malware loader delivering WhiteSnake and Meduza stealers. Designed to evade antivirus and sandbox detection, BabbleLoader uses junk code, runtime-only function resolution, and unique builds to bypass analysis. It targets users seeking cracked software or professionals in finance, enhancing threat actors’ efficiency in malware deployment.
8. Actuaries Institute Warns SMEs at Risk of Falling Behind in Cybercrime Prevention
The Actuaries Institute reports a growing cyber protection gap between Australian corporates and SMEs, with 62% of SMEs facing cyberattacks. Limited resources, high costs, and technical barriers leave many vulnerable. Experts emphasize the need for collaboration, affordable certifications, and government support to strengthen cyber defenses for these vital economic contributors.
ALSO READ: Nominations Open for ‘Women in Cyber’ Honors at FutureCrime Summit 2025
9. Akira Ransomware Gang Leaks Record Amount of Victims’ Data in a Single Day
Akira, a ransomware-as-a-service gang, published a record 35 victims on its darknet leak site in one day, with 32 being new. Emerging in 2023, Akira has made $42 million from 250 attacks. Experts attribute the surge to aggressive operations, targeting mainly U.S. business services and other global sectors.
10. Russian National Detained in US Over Phobos Ransomware Investigation
Russian national Evgenii Ptitsyn, alleged administrator of the Phobos ransomware operation, is in U.S. custody facing 13 charges, including wire fraud and hacking. Extradited from South Korea, Ptitsyn oversaw a $16 million scheme targeting over 1,000 victims globally. His arrest has coincided with a notable decline in Phobos activity.
