Cybercrime

Pig butchering scam targeting jobless youth, housewives, says MHA report

A new cyber fraud known as "pig butchering scam" or "investment scam" has emerged, targeting unemployed youths, housewives, students, and needy people who are made to lose large sums of money daily, according to the latest annual report of the Union home ministry. The report said that cybercriminals have also been using Google services platforms to initiate these crimes. "Google Advertisement platform provides a convenient facility for targeted advertisement from across the border. This scam, known as 'Pig Butchering Scam' or 'Investment Scam' is a global phenomenon and involves large-scale money laundering and even cyber slavery," it said. The pig butchering scam, which is believed to have started in China in 2016, targets gullible individuals with whom cyber criminals build trust over time, ultimately convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency or some other lucrative scheme when their money is stolen. The analogy to pig butchering comes from the fattening of swine before their ..

Blocked over 669,000 SIM cards to combat cybercrime: Govt tells Rajya Sabha

As part of its ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime, the government has blocked over 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1,32,000 IMEI numbers till November 15, 2024. Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said this initiative is part of a broader strategy to tackle cybercrime, with a focus on improving the capabilities of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and judicial officers. In a related development, the Ministry of Home Affairs has launched the 'CyTrain' platform, an online Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) aimed at building the capacity of police and judicial officers. The platform, developed under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), offers courses on cyber-crime investigation, forensics, and prosecution. To date, more than 98,698 police officers from various states and Union Territories (UTs) have registered on the platform, with over 75,591 certificates issued. The government has also provided Rs 131.60

Fake CEOs swindle Rs 7 crore from Delhi firms: Modus operandi explained

CEO frauds or BEC scams have become a global threat, with fraudsters impersonating executives to steal billions

At least 20% cybercrimes involve dark web usage by attackers: Report

At least 20 per cent of cybercrimes in India involve attackers using dark web, according to a report by cyber security firm Lisianthus. The dark web is a platform on the internet that can be accessed using special tools. It is usually very difficult to trace the identity and location of a dark web user. "At least 20 per cent of cybercrimes in India involve the usage of the dark web by online attackers," the study conducted by Lisianthus Tech said. The attackers used the dark web for cybercrimes like data breaches, hacking, phishing, ransomware, identity theft, sale and purchase of banned products like narcotics and weapons. The study is based on a detailed analysis of several cases of cybercrime reported across the country, said Khushhal Kaushik, founder and CEO of Lisianthus Tech. The study was conducted on a sampling basis over a period of two months which concluded last week, he said. "Study was completed using several samples of crime data taken from state police, National Cr

Razorpay partners MHA and I4C to boost digital payments security

This collaboration aims to empower businesses and end customers with critical knowledge to protect themselves while promoting widespread awareness about cybersecurity across India

You are under 'digital arrest': All about Rs 4 crore fraud in Mumbai

For over a month, a housewife from Mumbai was placed under "digital custody" and defrauded of Rs 3.8 crore by scammers posing as law enforcement officers looking into a false money laundering case

India sees 135,173 financial phishing attacks in H1 2024, says study

The number of attacks rose 175 per cent compared to the same period last year

India may see 1 trillion cyberattacks annually by 2033, experts warn

In recent years, high-profile cyberattacks have hit institutions such as AIIMS and major airlines

PM Modi warns of ‘digital arrest’ scam sweeping India: What is it?

Gift card scam hits Bengaluru engineer, ends ups losing Rs 4.5 lakh

The scam began with a message sent to the engineer ahead of Diwali, apparently from his boss, asking him to complete a quick assignment

Indians lose over Rs 120 cr in digital arrest frauds; PM Modi cautions risk

The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) recorded 0.74 million digital arrest fraud complaints between January 1 and April 30 this year, following 1.5 million complaints logged in 2023

Cyber criminals make fake WhatsApp accounts of Goa minister, another MLA

Goa's Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral have been targeted by cyber fraudsters who have allegedly created their fake profiles on WhatsApp and have been asking for money from people. BJP leader Godinho said a police complaint has been lodged in connection with his fake WhatsApp account. In a post on his Facebook page late Wednesday evening, Godinho said a false message has been circulated using his name and image on WhatsApp requesting for money through an Amazon Pay e-gift card. "The message is fraudulent and I strongly condemn such malicious activities," he said. The minister said an official complaint has been lodged with the Vasco police and the matter is under investigation. "I urge everyone to remain vigilant and not to engage with any suspicious requests," he said. In a similar cyber fraud, a fake WhatsApp account with an image of Curchorem MLA Cabral has also been created to seek money from people. Cabral, the former state PWD minister, on Thursd

Hacker uses Telegram chatbots to leak data of Star Health Insurance: Report

Using the chatbots enabled downloading policy and claims documents featuring names, phone numbers, addresses, tax details, copies of ID cards, test results and medical diagnoses

Cybercrime becoming major threat, need technical expertise for safety: MoS

Rai was speaking at the Dikshant Parade of the 76th batch of Regular Recruits of IPS at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) on Hyderabad outskirts

Whale phishing scam explained: How it works and tips to protect yourself

A whale phishing scam, also known as whaling, is a sophisticated type of phishing attack that targets high-profile individuals within an organisation, such as executives, CEOs, or other senior leaders

Payment aggregators to create 'negative' database to tackle digital fraud

The proposed database, to be made accessible to all licensed payment aggregators, will work as an early warning system to help prevent fraud and reducing risks to merchant and consumers

Philippine officials detain over 160 for suspected cybercrime operation

Philippine authorities raided a suspected illegal online gaming and cyberscam complex in a central province and took into custody more than 160 people mostly Chinese and Indonesians who were committing internet-based crimes, officials said Sunday. The raid on Saturday by more than 100 government agents, backed by military intelligence, on a resort compound in Lapu-Lapu city was part of an ongoing crackdown after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered a ban in July on widespread and mostly Chinese-run online gaming operations that cater mostly to clients in China, where illegal gambling is banned. Marcos said then that the massive illegal gambling operations have ignored Philippine laws with largescale violations of regulations and also committed other crimes, including financial scams, human trafficking, torture, kidnappings and murder. The raid at the Tourist Garden Resort, which has 10 buildings with swimming pools, karaoke bars and restaurants, came after the Indonesian Embass

Telegram under scanner for extortion, gambling; messaging app may face ban

Investigation against Telegram is being conducted by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Trading fraud costs 272 Pune residents Rs 125 crore since January 2024

Cybercriminals target people using social media, offering them fraudulent investment opportunities, promising extraordinarily high returns

Goa police stations shall be able to register cybercrime complaints: CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that every police station in the coastal state shall be able to register cybercrime complaints and act upon them. The chief minister, who also holds the home portfolio, made the assertion on Friday during his address at the concluding session of the Cyber Crime Investigation Training for Goa Police Personnel'. Senior police officials, including Director General of Police Alok Kumar, were present for the training session held in the capital city of Panaji. In a post on X, Sawant wrote, Attended and addressed the concluding session of the cyber crime investigation training for Goa police personnel. The CM expressed confidence that the training would enhance the knowledge and capacity of the Goa police towards cybercrime and spreading awareness. In the post, he added, Every police station shall be able to register cyber crime complaints and act upon (them).