Cyber Crime
Top 10 Daily Cybercrime Brief by FCRF [28.11.2024]: 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. Rs 8.46 Lakh Retrieved in Two Cybercrime Cases
The Hyderabad cyber crime police recovered Rs 8.46 lakh stolen in two online fraud cases. A 52-year-old housewife, duped of Rs 4.22 lakh by scammers offering a fake job and visa, got her money back after police froze accounts and facilitated a court petition. Both victims received refunds.
2. Government Blocks 6.69 Lakh SIMs and 1.32 Lakh IMEIs to Fight Cybercrime, Centre Informs Rajya Sabha
The Centre has blocked over 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1.32 lakh IMEI numbers to curb cyber crimes, Minister of State informed Rajya Sabha. A system to detect spoofed international calls posing as Indian numbers has been implemented. Over Rs 3,431 crore has been saved since 2021.
3. 75-Year-Old Duped of Over Rs 11 Crore in Mumbai’s Second Largest Cyber Fraud of 2024
A 75-year-old retired ship captain from Mumbai was duped of Rs 11.16 crore in a share trading scam, making it the city’s second-largest cyber fraud of 2024. Scammers posing as financial advisors lured him via WhatsApp, manipulated him through fake trading profits, and demanded hefty fees. Police are investigating.
4. HDFC Life Insurance Reports Data Theft and Extortion to Cyber Police
HDFC Life has filed a complaint with South Region Cyber Police, New Delhi alleging data theft and extortion. Cyber fraudsters stole customer details, including policy and health information, and demanded extortion, threatening to leak data. HDFC initiated an investigation, assuring customer protection and disclosed the incident to the stock exchange as good governance.
5. Cyber Crime Unit of J&K Successfully Recovers Stolen Funds
The Cyber Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU) of J&K Police in Samba refunded Rs 43,500 to a victim of online financial fraud. The amount was recovered through advanced technical efforts by the team under DySP. The complaint was initially filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
INTERNATIONAL
6. Meta Removes 2 Million Accounts Linked to Cybercrime Activities
Meta has removed over 2 million accounts linked to global scam operations like “pig butchering,” which coerces victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. Collaborating with law enforcement and industry peers, Meta combats organized crime in regions like Asia and the UAE. Enhanced detection systems and user safeguards bolster its anti-cybercrime efforts.
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7. AmberWolf Unveils NachoVPN to Address VPN Security Risks
At SANS HackFest 2024, AmberWolf researchers exposed critical vulnerabilities in popular VPN clients, enabling remote code execution and privilege escalation on macOS and Windows systems. They launched NachoVPN, an open-source tool simulating rogue servers to test these flaws. Affected VPNs include Palo Alto GlobalProtect and SonicWall NetExtender. Mitigations were advised.
8. Russian Hackers Exploit Firefox and Windows Zero-Day Vulnerabilities to Deploy Backdoor
ESET uncovered a RomCom cyberattack exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in Firefox (CVE-2024-9680) and Windows (CVE-2024-49039) to install backdoors on systems. The campaign targeted sectors in Ukraine, the US, and Germany. Mozilla and Microsoft issued swift patches, highlighting the urgency of vulnerability disclosures and regular software updates for security.
9. Ethereum’s Layer-2 Solutions Predicted to Surpass Main Blockchain by 2030
Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions are projected to achieve a $1 trillion market cap by 2030, addressing scalability issues while enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. Innovations like Optimistic Rollups, Zk-Rollups, and Plasma drive this growth. Ethereum’s adaptive roadmap, including upgrades like Dencun, promises transformative performance and decentralized innovation in the blockchain ecosystem.
10. Starbucks Adopts Manual Operations Following Contractor Ransomware Attack
A ransomware attack on Blue Yonder, a leading supply chain software provider, disrupted Starbucks’ payroll systems and affected global retailers like Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. Blue Yonder, aided by CrowdStrike, is addressing the issue. The incident highlights rising holiday ransomware threats, which netted cybercriminals $1.1 billion last year.
