Krispy Kreme, a well-known United States-based doughnut chain, confirmed on Wednesday (Dec 11) that it was targeted by a cyberattack, disrupting its online systems.

Krispy Kreme, a well-known United States-based doughnut chain, confirmed on Wednesday (Dec 11) that it was targeted by a cyberattack, disrupting its online systems. Since the security breach, customers across the US have faced issues placing online orders. The cyberattack, which took place in late November, was only made public this week. Cyberattack disrupts online ordering across US The company disclosed details of the breach in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), warning it could have a "material impact" on its operations, although physical stores remain unaffected. "We're experiencing operational disruptions due to a cybersecurity incident, including with online ordering in parts of the United States," the company stated on its website. "We know this is an inconvenience and are working diligently to resolve the issue." Krispy Kreme also said that it acted quickly to investigate and contain the breach. "We, along with cybersecurity experts, continue to work diligently to respond to and mitigate the impact, including the restoration of online ordering," the company added. No group has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack. Read More: Congress leader Sam Pitroda faces cyberattack and blackmail, hackers demand payment in cryptocurrency Financial impact expected The cyberattack affected Krispy Kreme’s digital sales. The company anticipates costs related to lost online business, hiring cybersecurity experts, and restoring systems. Krispy Kreme has cybersecurity insurance, which is expected to offset some of the financial impact. Cyberattack trends in 2024 The cyberattack against Krispy Kreme reflects a broader trend in 2024, with security breaches causing significant disruptions to key sectors, including hospitals and transportation networks. "The proliferation of cyberattacks in 2024 shows that hackers are willing to target anything and everything," said Spencer Starkey from cybersecurity firm SonicWall. "It’s vital every business has a robust roadmap in place to respond to attacks." Social media reaction Despite the breach’s severity, social media has responded with humour. One user joked, "Anyone messing with Krispy Kreme should be jailed for life." Another quipped, "Cybercriminals, you've gone too far this time." Watch: India Faces 3000% Surge in API Cyber Attacks Krispy Kreme working to restore online services With over 1,400 stores worldwide, Krispy Kreme remains a major player in the global doughnut market. Its presence in the United Kingdom, however, is smaller, with 120 locations. The company reassured customers that it is actively working to restore online services and minimise business impact. (With inputs from agencies)

Krispy Kreme confirms cybersecurity breach, online ordering disrupted across US

While digital technology has provided us with a way to browse products and order them online, fraudsters seem to be taking advantage of the loopholes in the services that online shopping provides. In such an incident, an Indian online shopping brand has suffered huge losses as fraudsters exploited loopholes to dupe&nbsp;the company by claiming fake refunds.

Myntra, the Flipkart-owned fashion giant of India, discovered that it had been duped of Rs 1.1 crore ($129,600) between March and June this year after an audit was conducted. The company has lost over Rs 50 crore ($5,891,220) to scammers nationwide, TOI reported, citing a source.

According to police officials, the crooks would place bulk orders for several items available on the website like shoes, apparel, handbags, jewellery, watches, and cosmetics and make payments online or select the cash-on-delivery (COD) option.

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After receiving the order, they would raise complaints about receiving less number of products than ordered. In some cases, they would make a complaint that the product delivered was fake, of the wrong colour, not the same product, or the wrong size to claim refund.

Myntra Designs enforcement officer Sardar MS told police that about 5,529 such fraudulent orders were delivered to different locations across Bengaluru.

According to TOI, the police suspect a gang from Rajasthan to be involved in the fraud. Nearly all of those orders were placed from Jaipur. The fraudsters gave delivery addresses of Bengaluru and other metros, and few were delivered to commercial establishments.

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Although the online store wanted to file a complaint for all their losses, Bengaluru police have asked them to only file a complaint regarding the losses that occurred through deliveries within the city.

A case has been registered under IPC Sections 419 (cheating by personation) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and Information Technology Act. A police investigation is underway.

In a similar incident, three arrests were made in Gujarat after e-commerce brand Meesho was cheated of Rs 5.5 crore ($648,000) through fraudulent orders.

(With inputs from agencies)

While digital technology has provided us with a way to browse products and order them online, fraudsters seem to be taking advantage of the loopholes in the services that online shopping provides.

While digital technology has provided us with a way to browse products and order them online, fraudsters seem to be taking advantage of the loopholes in the services that online shopping provides. In such an incident, an Indian online shopping brand has suffered huge losses as fraudsters exploited loopholes to dupe the company by claiming fake refunds. Myntra, the Flipkart-owned fashion giant of India, discovered that it had been duped of Rs 1.1 crore ($129,600) between March and June this year after an audit was conducted. The company has lost over Rs 50 crore ($5,891,220) to scammers nationwide, TOI reported, citing a source. According to police officials, the crooks would place bulk orders for several items available on the website like shoes, apparel, handbags, jewellery, watches, and cosmetics and make payments online or select the cash-on-delivery (COD) option. Also read | Man dies by suicide, tags Musk and Trump in last post, accuses wife of harassment After receiving the order, they would raise complaints about receiving less number of products than ordered. In some cases, they would make a complaint that the product delivered was fake, of the wrong colour, not the same product, or the wrong size to claim refund. Myntra Designs enforcement officer Sardar MS told police that about 5,529 such fraudulent orders were delivered to different locations across Bengaluru. According to TOI, the police suspect a gang from Rajasthan to be involved in the fraud. Nearly all of those orders were placed from Jaipur. The fraudsters gave delivery addresses of Bengaluru and other metros, and few were delivered to commercial establishments. Also read | YesMadam's HR email firing 100 employees to relieve their stress goes viral. Here's the truth behind the post Although the online store wanted to file a complaint for all their losses, Bengaluru police have asked them to only file a complaint regarding the losses that occurred through deliveries within the city. A case has been registered under IPC Sections 419 (cheating by personation) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and Information Technology Act. A police investigation is underway. In a similar incident, three arrests were made in Gujarat after e-commerce brand Meesho was cheated of Rs 5.5 crore ($648,000) through fraudulent orders. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian online fashion giant Myntra duped of $129K by fraudsters, investigation underway: Report

Congress leader Sam Pitroda recently revealed that his smartphone, laptop, and server have been repeatedly targeted by hackers over the past few weeks. The hackers are reportedly demanding tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency, and have threatened to launch a smear campaign against him.&nbsp;

Pitroda, chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress, has now issued an urgent warning to his contacts, urging them to be cautious of suspicious communications from his compromised accounts.

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<h2 dir="ltr">Hackers threaten reputation damage</h2>

In an email to news agency ANI, Pitroda shared the details of the cyberattack. “My laptop, smartphone, and server have been repeatedly hacked and compromised over the past few weeks,” the Congress leader said.&nbsp;

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He added that the hackers are demanding tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency and have threatened to damage his reputation by launching a smear campaign if the ransom is not paid.

In the email, Pitroda advised his family, friends, and colleagues to be vigilant. He warned them not to open any emails or messages that appear to come from him but originate from unfamiliar sources. “Do not click on links or download attachments,” he cautioned, stressing that these emails could contain malware designed to further compromise their devices.

<h2>Strengthen security measures</h2>

While currently travelling, Pitroda assured his contacts that he would take immediate action upon his return to Chicago, United States. He plans to replace outdated hardware, upgrade security software, and implement stronger security protocols to protect his digital presence.&nbsp;

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“I apologise for any inconvenience or concern this situation may cause. Thank you for your understanding and vigilance,” he wrote at the end of his email. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Congress leader Sam Pitroda recently revealed that his smartphone, laptop, and server have been repeatedly targeted by hackers over the past few weeks. The hackers are reportedly demanding tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency, and have threatened to launch a smear campaign against him.

Congress leader Sam Pitroda recently revealed that his smartphone, laptop, and server have been repeatedly targeted by hackers over the past few weeks. The hackers are reportedly demanding tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency, and have threatened to launch a smear campaign against him. Pitroda, chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress, has now issued an urgent warning to his contacts, urging them to be cautious of suspicious communications from his compromised accounts. Hackers threaten reputation damage In an email to news agency ANI, Pitroda shared the details of the cyberattack. “My laptop, smartphone, and server have been repeatedly hacked and compromised over the past few weeks,” the Congress leader said. Also Read: Services of 300 Indian banks collapse after ransomware attack hits tech firm He added that the hackers are demanding tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency and have threatened to damage his reputation by launching a smear campaign if the ransom is not paid. In the email, Pitroda advised his family, friends, and colleagues to be vigilant. He warned them not to open any emails or messages that appear to come from him but originate from unfamiliar sources. “Do not click on links or download attachments,” he cautioned, stressing that these emails could contain malware designed to further compromise their devices. Strengthen security measures While currently travelling, Pitroda assured his contacts that he would take immediate action upon his return to Chicago, United States. He plans to replace outdated hardware, upgrade security software, and implement stronger security protocols to protect his digital presence. Also Read | Mumbai police receive threat message against PM Modi, traced to Rajasthan's Ajmer as police begin probe “I apologise for any inconvenience or concern this situation may cause. Thank you for your understanding and vigilance,” he wrote at the end of his email. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress leader Sam Pitroda faces cyberattack and blackmail, hackers demand payment in cryptocurrency

A student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay was duped of Rs 7.29 lakh ($8,633) by fraudsters, who issued a fake ‘digital arrest’ notice and demanded he pay the money. The cybercriminals posed as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the police said on Tuesday&nbsp;(Nov&nbsp;26).

“The 25-year-old victim received a call from an unknown number in July this year. The caller posed as an employee of the TRAI and informed him that 17 complaints of illegal activities were registered against his mobile number,” an official of the Powai police station in Mumbai said as per&nbsp;news agency PTI.

The victim was told by the scammer that he was required to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from the police to prevent his number from getting deactivated and his call would be transferred to the Cyber Crime Branch.

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The student then received a video call on WhatsApp where a man who was dressed as a police officer demanded his Aadhar card number. The fraudster told him that he was involved in money laundering and pressed him into transferring Rs 29,500 ($3,493) through the unified payments interface (UPI), according to the police.

The accused told the victim he was put under a digital arrest and was not allowed to contact anyone. The next day, the scammers called him again, demanding more money. They also coerced the man into giving up his bank account details, after which the tricksters siphoned Rs 7 lakh ($8,000) from his bank account. After the payment was made, the victim was told that would not face any arrest, the police said.

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Later, the student realised he had been duped by the scammers after learning about the digital arrest, prompting him to lodge a complaint with the police against the scammers.

In August, a woman from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, was duped of Rs 34 lakh ($40,000) by cybercriminals in a similar “digital arrest”, who claimed that a parcel sent from Mumbai to Iran in her name had been seized by the officials.

Amid the rise of such digital arrest scams, earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned citizens to beware of such phone or video calls as no investigation agency conducts interrogations in such a manner. “Stop, think and act,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay was duped of Rs 7.29 lakh ($8,633) by fraudsters, who issued a fake ‘digital arrest’ notice and demanded he pay the money.

A student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay was duped of Rs 7.29 lakh ($8,633) by fraudsters, who issued a fake ‘digital arrest’ notice and demanded he pay the money. The cybercriminals posed as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the police said on Tuesday (Nov 26). “The 25-year-old victim received a call from an unknown number in July this year. The caller posed as an employee of the TRAI and informed him that 17 complaints of illegal activities were registered against his mobile number,” an official of the Powai police station in Mumbai said as per news agency PTI. The victim was told by the scammer that he was required to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from the police to prevent his number from getting deactivated and his call would be transferred to the Cyber Crime Branch. Also read | India: Noida woman loses $40,000 after scammers send 'digital arrest' notice The student then received a video call on WhatsApp where a man who was dressed as a police officer demanded his Aadhar card number. The fraudster told him that he was involved in money laundering and pressed him into transferring Rs 29,500 ($3,493) through the unified payments interface (UPI), according to the police. The accused told the victim he was put under a digital arrest and was not allowed to contact anyone. The next day, the scammers called him again, demanding more money. They also coerced the man into giving up his bank account details, after which the tricksters siphoned Rs 7 lakh ($8,000) from his bank account. After the payment was made, the victim was told that would not face any arrest, the police said. Also read | India: Meth seized from Myanmarese boat costs more than aircraft carrier Vikrant, built at a cost of $2.49bn Later, the student realised he had been duped by the scammers after learning about the digital arrest, prompting him to lodge a complaint with the police against the scammers. In August, a woman from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, was duped of Rs 34 lakh ($40,000) by cybercriminals in a similar “digital arrest”, who claimed that a parcel sent from Mumbai to Iran in her name had been seized by the officials. Amid the rise of such digital arrest scams, earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned citizens to beware of such phone or video calls as no investigation agency conducts interrogations in such a manner. “Stop, think and act,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

India: IIT Bombay student loses $8,000 to fraudsters in ‘digital arrest’ scam

An engineer was "digitally arrested" by fraudsters, trapped in an online scam for eight hours. The criminals used deceptive tactics to steal personal information and financial data. To stay safe, experts advise verifying identities, avoiding suspicious links, and using strong passwords to protect against such cyber frauds.

Engineer 'Digitally Arrested' By Fraudsters For Eight Hours, How Can You Stay Safe?

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent episode of Mann Ki Baat, on Sunday (Oct&nbsp;27), drew attention towards ‘digital arrest’ and warned the citizens about the scam. Shockingly, Indians have lost over Rs 120.3 crores in the digital arrest scam in the first quarter of 2024.&nbsp;

According to data revealed by the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), about 0.74 million complaints were received between January 1 and April 30, 2024, and 46 per cent of the complaints included trading scams, investment scams, and digital arrests.&nbsp;

<h2>What is a ‘Digital Arrest’?</h2>

Fraudsters video call victims and pretend to be government officials. They use pressure tactics like accusing the victim of being involved in illegal activities and asking them to stay under ‘Digital Arrest’. They ensure that their fake identities seem real and ask the victims not to end calls and leave their homes.&nbsp;

During his recent episode of Mann Ki Baat, the PM mentioned that no official will investigate and ask for money or a fine over call. He also informed people that there is no such punishment as ‘Digital Arrest’ under the Indian legal system.&nbsp;

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi also explained a three-step strategy to be safe from digital arrest. He said, “Be aware that no investigating agency conducts such interrogations over the phone or video call. The three steps to digital security are: stop, think and act,”&nbsp;

Modi said, the first step when you receive a call is ‘stop’ and the second is ‘think’. He stressed that no official agency like the police will threaten or ask for money over video calls.&nbsp;

The third step is to take the necessary steps. He urged victims to dial 1930—the national cyber helpline—and also report these incidents on the official website cybercrime.gov.in.&nbsp;

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While highlighting the digital arrest during the episode, he shared that scammers often impersonate CBI, narcotics, RBI, or police and converse as fake officers. He also said that listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ showed interest in discussing this issue.&nbsp;

“People from every class and age group fall victim to digital arrest. People have lost lakhs of rupees earned through their hard work, out of sheer fear. Whenever you receive such a call, don’t be scared. You should be aware that no investigative agency ever inquires like this through a phone call or a video call,” PM Modi said.

During the episode, PM Modi also said that agencies have blocked thousands of video-call IDs, over lakh SIM cards, mobile phones, and bank accounts.&nbsp;

He said that agencies are trying very hard to save people from cyber fraud, but for protection from these scams, every citizen must be aware of them. He also asked victims of digital arrest or other cyber frauds to share it with as many people as possible to promote awareness about these scams.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent episode of Mann Ki Baat, on Sunday (Oct 27), drew attention towards ‘digital arrest’ and warned the citizens about the scam.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent episode of Mann Ki Baat, on Sunday (Oct 27), drew attention towards ‘digital arrest’ and warned the citizens about the scam. Shockingly, Indians have lost over Rs 120.3 crores in the digital arrest scam in the first quarter of 2024. According to data revealed by the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), about 0.74 million complaints were received between January 1 and April 30, 2024, and 46 per cent of the complaints included trading scams, investment scams, and digital arrests. What is a ‘Digital Arrest’? Fraudsters video call victims and pretend to be government officials. They use pressure tactics like accusing the victim of being involved in illegal activities and asking them to stay under ‘Digital Arrest’. They ensure that their fake identities seem real and ask the victims not to end calls and leave their homes. During his recent episode of Mann Ki Baat, the PM mentioned that no official will investigate and ask for money or a fine over call. He also informed people that there is no such punishment as ‘Digital Arrest’ under the Indian legal system. Also Read | Delhi wakes up to 'very poor' air quality ahead of Diwali festivities despite firecracker ban Prime Minister Narendra Modi also explained a three-step strategy to be safe from digital arrest. He said, “Be aware that no investigating agency conducts such interrogations over the phone or video call. The three steps to digital security are: stop, think and act,” Modi said, the first step when you receive a call is ‘stop’ and the second is ‘think’. He stressed that no official agency like the police will threaten or ask for money over video calls. The third step is to take the necessary steps. He urged victims to dial 1930—the national cyber helpline—and also report these incidents on the official website cybercrime.gov.in. Also Read | India, China to finalise military disengagement today: Here's what's happening While highlighting the digital arrest during the episode, he shared that scammers often impersonate CBI, narcotics, RBI, or police and converse as fake officers. He also said that listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ showed interest in discussing this issue. “People from every class and age group fall victim to digital arrest. People have lost lakhs of rupees earned through their hard work, out of sheer fear. Whenever you receive such a call, don’t be scared. You should be aware that no investigative agency ever inquires like this through a phone call or a video call,” PM Modi said. During the episode, PM Modi also said that agencies have blocked thousands of video-call IDs, over lakh SIM cards, mobile phones, and bank accounts. He said that agencies are trying very hard to save people from cyber fraud, but for protection from these scams, every citizen must be aware of them. He also asked victims of digital arrest or other cyber frauds to share it with as many people as possible to promote awareness about these scams. (With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi warns Indian citizens about ‘Digital Arrest’, what is it?

japanese police are investigating a series of violent robberies in which groups of strangers are recruited by shadowy masterminds on social media messaging services. Watch in for more details!

Online Recruitment Fuels Violent Crime Surge in Japan

An unidentified firm fell prey to a North Korean cyber criminal who got hired as a remote IT worker and hacked the company's system, the BBC reported. The company which is based in the UK, US and Australia did not want to be named.

The company hired the North Korean technician online, who faked his employment history and personal details.&nbsp;

Once given access to the company’s computer network, the hacker&nbsp;downloaded sensitive data and sent a ransom demand.&nbsp;

This is the latest case in a series of such cyber crimes where a North Korean has been masked as western remote worker.

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The firm allowed cyber responders from SecureWorks to report the hack to spread awareness and warn others. Secureworks said the IT worker, thought to be a man, was hired in the summer as a contractor. He used the firm’s remote working tools to log into the corporate network.

He then downloaded as much company data as possible as soon as he had gained access to internal systems. The man worked with the firm for four months and even collected his salary.

Researchers say this was likely redirected to North Korea in a complex laundering process to evade western sanctions on the country.

Watch |&nbsp;‘Cyber Crime Is The New Geopolitical Weapon:’ Ex-Foreign Affairs Secretary Shyam Saran

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After the firm sacked him for poor performance, it received ransom emails containing some of the stolen data with a demand of a six-figure sum, to be paid in cryptocurrency.

The man threatens to publish or sell all the stolen information online if his demands aren’t met. The firm did not disclose whether it paid the ransom.

<h2>Fraudulent North Korean IT worker schemes&nbsp;</h2>

This case was not an isolated incident - cybersecurity authorities have been warning about the rise of North Korean infiltrators since 2022.

The US and South Korea have accused North Korea of tasking thousands of staff to take on multiple well-paid western roles remotely to earn money for the regime and avoid sanctions.

In September cyber security company Mandiant said dozens of Fortune 100 companies have been found to have accidentally hired North Koreans. However, cases of North Korean employees hacking their employers remain rare.

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"This is a serious escalation of the risk from fraudulent North Korean IT worker schemes," Rafe Pilling, Director of Threat Intelligence at Secureworks, was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"No longer are they just after a steady paycheck, they are looking for higher sums, more quickly, through data theft and extortion, from inside the company defences."

(With inputs from agencies)

An unidentified firm fell prey to a North Korean cyber criminal who got hired as a remote IT worker and hacked the company's system, the BBC reported. The company which is based in the UK, US and Australia did not want to be named.

An unidentified firm fell prey to a North Korean cyber criminal who got hired as a remote IT worker and hacked the company's system, the BBC reported. The company which is based in the UK, US and Australia did not want to be named. The company hired the North Korean technician online, who faked his employment history and personal details. Once given access to the company’s computer network, the hacker downloaded sensitive data and sent a ransom demand. This is the latest case in a series of such cyber crimes where a North Korean has been masked as western remote worker. Also Read | India: 373 govt websites hacked in past 5 years; house panel calls for strengthening digital infrastructure The firm allowed cyber responders from SecureWorks to report the hack to spread awareness and warn others. Secureworks said the IT worker, thought to be a man, was hired in the summer as a contractor. He used the firm’s remote working tools to log into the corporate network. He then downloaded as much company data as possible as soon as he had gained access to internal systems. The man worked with the firm for four months and even collected his salary. Researchers say this was likely redirected to North Korea in a complex laundering process to evade western sanctions on the country. Watch | ‘Cyber Crime Is The New Geopolitical Weapon:’ Ex-Foreign Affairs Secretary Shyam Saran × After the firm sacked him for poor performance, it received ransom emails containing some of the stolen data with a demand of a six-figure sum, to be paid in cryptocurrency. The man threatens to publish or sell all the stolen information online if his demands aren’t met. The firm did not disclose whether it paid the ransom. Fraudulent North Korean IT worker schemes This case was not an isolated incident - cybersecurity authorities have been warning about the rise of North Korean infiltrators since 2022. The US and South Korea have accused North Korea of tasking thousands of staff to take on multiple well-paid western roles remotely to earn money for the regime and avoid sanctions. In September cyber security company Mandiant said dozens of Fortune 100 companies have been found to have accidentally hired North Koreans. However, cases of North Korean employees hacking their employers remain rare. Also Read | GPS spoofing that disrupts aircraft rose by 400 per cent. Will it cause a serious accident? "This is a serious escalation of the risk from fraudulent North Korean IT worker schemes," Rafe Pilling, Director of Threat Intelligence at Secureworks, was quoted as saying by the BBC. "No longer are they just after a steady paycheck, they are looking for higher sums, more quickly, through data theft and extortion, from inside the company defences." (With inputs from agencies)

Company hacked after accidentally hiring North Korean cyber criminal for a remote IT role

Cyber attacks are rising as digital crime becomes a new geopolitical background. With the world suffering from the war consequences in real time, this digital warfront is equally devastating. WION’s business editor Rahul Karunakar spoke to José Manuel Barroso, former president of the European Commission and former prime minister of Portugal, on what the nations can do to mitigate risks around cyber attacks. Listen in to what he had to say…

‘Cyber Attacks Compliment Other Forms Of War:’ Ex PM Of Portugal On Growing Threat Of Cyber Attacks

Cybercrime has emerged as the new geopolitical battleground. With estimates of over $10 trillion annually lost to cyber crime, governments are finding it hard to regulate the scope of technology. WION’s Aadhya Juneja spoke to Shyam Saran, former foreign affairs secretary, India, on the need for cyber security to combat digital crime. He also spoke about how a strong public-private partnership is the way forward. Listen in to what he has to say.

‘Cyber Crime Is The New Geopolitical Weapon:’ Ex-Foreign Affairs Secretary Shyam Saran

Cyber slavery has entrapped thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of Indians in Southeast Asia, where they're forced to work for online scammers targetting Indians at home and defrauding millions of dollars from them. Now the Indian government is cracking down on this new cyber crime.

Measures taken by the country's telecom ministry include disconnecting 21.7 million mobile phone connections as well as blocking some 226,000 handsets.

Watch: Financial fraud top cybercrime in India

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An inter-ministerial panel has been set up, which includes the Home Ministry, Immigration Bureau, Financial Intelligence Unit, Reserve Bank of India, Information Technology Ministry, and National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Telecom operators have been asked to block incoming international "spoofed calls" that display Indian mobile numbers. Such dropped calls form 35 per cent of the incoming international calls.

The telecom firms are also told to give data on Indian mobile numbers using roaming facilities in Hong Kong, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines and Myanmar, The Indian Express said in a report on Monday (Sep 30).&nbsp;

It quoted a source as saying that 600,000 such phones were roaming in the Southeast Asia region in April-June this year.&nbsp;

<h2>Could tens of thousands of Indians be working for foreign cyber fraud companies?</h2>

Meanwhile, government data shows that 29,466 of the 73,138 Indians who travelled to Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam on visitor visas from January 2022 to May 2024 are yet to return.

The inter-ministerial panel has asked local governments in India to carry out thorough verifications about their backgrounds and whereabouts.

They predominantly hail from the states of Punjab (3,667), Maharashtra (3,233) and Tamil Nadu (3,124), said an Indian Express report.

Nearly 70 per cent of the 'disappeared' people had gone to Thailand from India.

<h2>Cyber slavery: 5,000 Indians are trapped in Cambodia</h2>

According to earlier Indian media reports, at least 5,000 Indians were trapped in Cambodia, the main centre of cyber slavery in Southeast Asia. Many of them had gone there thinking they were joining legitimate firms but were forced to engage in various cyber crimes.

Many of these crimes target Indians back home, often extorting money to the tune of more than 5 billion rupees. 
 
According to Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre data, 45 per cent of cyber crimes targeting Indians originate in Southeast Asia. Around 100,000 complaints have been registered with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal since January 2023.

There have been several reports this year about Indians complaining about being trapped in Southeast Asian countries, being held against their will, or being rescued by government agencies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttarakhand-cyber-crime-india-us-authorities-work-together-to-uncover-36mn-fraud-716680">Also read: Uttarakhand cyber crime: India, US authorities work together to uncover $36mn fraud</a>

In May, the government reported that 360 Indians working as cyber slaves in Cambodia were repatriated in the previous five months.

In August, it was reported that more than 1,000 people from the southern state of Tamil Nadu who went to Southeast Asian countries like&nbsp;Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos were possibly working as cyber slaves. Other origin states include Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi.&nbsp;

In the same month, 47 Indians who were forced to run dating app scams were rescued in Laos.

Hundreds of them have been rescued so far by the Indian government or international organisations and NGOs.

<h2>What is cyber slavery?</h2>

According to the CyberPeace Foundation, cyber slavery is a modern form of slavery "that begins with online deception and evolves into physical human trafficking."

"It can take many different forms, such as coercive involvement in cybercrime, forced employment in online frauds, exploitation in the gig economy, or involuntary slavery."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cambodia-telecom-scam-gangs-traffic-taiwanese-push-them-into-cyber-slavery-509374">Also read: Cambodia: Telecom scam gangs traffic Taiwanese, push them into cyber slavery</a>

Indians were 'selected' for high-paying jobs, only to be forced to work 16 hours a day under severe conditions.&nbsp;

The illegal online work they are forced into includes money laundering, cryptocurrency fraud and dating/ love scams.&nbsp;

<h2>Cyber slavery modus operandi</h2>

According to Indian media reports, Indians from various states aged in their 20s and 30s are lured by cyber criminals for data entry jobs. Once they land in countries like Cambodia and Laos, their passports are taken away by these companies and then they are forced to make cyberfraud calls, mainly targeting Indians back home. &nbsp;

Many of these calls involve the online equivalent of honey trapping. The scammers ask the Indians to create fake social media profiles of women. The frauds range from cryptocurrency investments to dating.

Once the victims deposit money, they are ghosted and their numbers blocked.

(With inputs from agencies)

Cyber slavery has entrapped thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of Indians in Southeast Asia, where they're forced to work for online scammers targetting Indians at home and defrauding millions of dollars from them.

Cyber slavery has entrapped thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of Indians in Southeast Asia, where they're forced to work for online scammers targetting Indians at home and defrauding millions of dollars from them. Now the Indian government is cracking down on this new cyber crime. Measures taken by the country's telecom ministry include disconnecting 21.7 million mobile phone connections as well as blocking some 226,000 handsets. Watch: Financial fraud top cybercrime in India × An inter-ministerial panel has been set up, which includes the Home Ministry, Immigration Bureau, Financial Intelligence Unit, Reserve Bank of India, Information Technology Ministry, and National Investigation Agency (NIA). Telecom operators have been asked to block incoming international "spoofed calls" that display Indian mobile numbers. Such dropped calls form 35 per cent of the incoming international calls. The telecom firms are also told to give data on Indian mobile numbers using roaming facilities in Hong Kong, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines and Myanmar, The Indian Express said in a report on Monday (Sep 30). It quoted a source as saying that 600,000 such phones were roaming in the Southeast Asia region in April-June this year. Could tens of thousands of Indians be working for foreign cyber fraud companies? Meanwhile, government data shows that 29,466 of the 73,138 Indians who travelled to Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam on visitor visas from January 2022 to May 2024 are yet to return. The inter-ministerial panel has asked local governments in India to carry out thorough verifications about their backgrounds and whereabouts. They predominantly hail from the states of Punjab (3,667), Maharashtra (3,233) and Tamil Nadu (3,124), said an Indian Express report. Nearly 70 per cent of the 'disappeared' people had gone to Thailand from India. Cyber slavery: 5,000 Indians are trapped in Cambodia According to earlier Indian media reports, at least 5,000 Indians were trapped in Cambodia, the main centre of cyber slavery in Southeast Asia. Many of them had gone there thinking they were joining legitimate firms but were forced to engage in various cyber crimes. Many of these crimes target Indians back home, often extorting money to the tune of more than 5 billion rupees. According to Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre data, 45 per cent of cyber crimes targeting Indians originate in Southeast Asia. Around 100,000 complaints have been registered with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal since January 2023. There have been several reports this year about Indians complaining about being trapped in Southeast Asian countries, being held against their will, or being rescued by government agencies. Also read: Uttarakhand cyber crime: India, US authorities work together to uncover $36mn fraud In May, the government reported that 360 Indians working as cyber slaves in Cambodia were repatriated in the previous five months. In August, it was reported that more than 1,000 people from the southern state of Tamil Nadu who went to Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos were possibly working as cyber slaves. Other origin states include Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi. In the same month, 47 Indians who were forced to run dating app scams were rescued in Laos. Hundreds of them have been rescued so far by the Indian government or international organisations and NGOs. What is cyber slavery? According to the CyberPeace Foundation, cyber slavery is a modern form of slavery "that begins with online deception and evolves into physical human trafficking." "It can take many different forms, such as coercive involvement in cybercrime, forced employment in online frauds, exploitation in the gig economy, or involuntary slavery." Also read: Cambodia: Telecom scam gangs traffic Taiwanese, push them into cyber slavery Indians were 'selected' for high-paying jobs, only to be forced to work 16 hours a day under severe conditions. The illegal online work they are forced into includes money laundering, cryptocurrency fraud and dating/ love scams. Cyber slavery modus operandi According to Indian media reports, Indians from various states aged in their 20s and 30s are lured by cyber criminals for data entry jobs. Once they land in countries like Cambodia and Laos, their passports are taken away by these companies and then they are forced to make cyberfraud calls, mainly targeting Indians back home. Many of these calls involve the online equivalent of honey trapping. The scammers ask the Indians to create fake social media profiles of women. The frauds range from cryptocurrency investments to dating. Once the victims deposit money, they are ghosted and their numbers blocked. (With inputs from agencies)

Cyber slavery: Thousands of Indians are trapped and tens of thousands have gone missing in Southeast Asia

India will have as many as 5,000 cyber commandos in the next five years, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday (Sep 10). These commandos will be a group of highly-trained police officers who will instantly respond to cyber attacks in the country&nbsp;and carry out preventive measures.

Shah announced at the first foundation day of the I4C- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.&nbsp;

"We will have 5,000 cyber commandos in five years. These commandos will respond to cyber threats swiftly," he said. 
 
The home minister termed cyber security as part of national security as a “country’s growth is not possible without ensuring cyber security,” said Shah.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/manipur-violence-mobile-internet-broadband-suspended-curfew-imposed-amid-drone-missile-attacks-757484">Manipur violence: Mobile internet, broadband suspended; curfew imposed amid drone, missile attacks</a>

Shah also inaugurated a ‘suspect registry’- a database with details of criminals involved in cyber and online financial frauds that will be accessible by the states, union territories, central investigation and intelligence agencies. The registry has been created based on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), in collaboration with banks and financial intermediaries to strengthen the fraud risk management capabilities of the financial ecosystem.

Watch |&nbsp;Study: Financial fraud top cybercrime in India

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“If the states/union territories have data in silos, then it won’t help us in the fight against cyber criminals who have no boundaries. The time has come that a common registry for suspects is there,” Shah said. He further mentioned that all stakeholders will have to come together to deal with the menace.

Shah also dedicated a Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) to the country, at the event.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-claims-sebi-chair-her-husband-earned-nearly-a-million-dollars-from-mahindra-and-mahindra-group-757474">Congress claims SEBI chair, her husband received nearly a million dollars from Mahindra and Mahindra Group</a>

The CFMC has been established at I4C with representatives of major banks, financial intermediaries, payment aggregators, telecom service providers, IT intermediaries and states/UTs law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

I4C was established in October 2018, under the central sector scheme within the Cyber and Information Security Division (CIS Division) of the MHA. Its primary objective is to establish a national-level coordination centre for addressing all issues related to cybercrime across the country.

<h2>Cyber crimes in India</h2>

Several Indians fall prey to cyber fraud every year. Between Jan and April 2024, Indians suffered losses exceeding Rs 1,750 crore due to cybercriminal activities. This was reported through over 740,000 complaints lodged on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, which is managed by the MHA.&nbsp;

The I4C stated that in May 2024 an average of 7,000 cybercrime complaints were recorded daily, marking a significant surge of 113.7 per cent compared to the period between 2021 and 2023, according to a report in the Economic Times.

(With inputs from agencies)

India will have as many as 5,000 cyber commandos in the next five years, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday (Sep 10). These commandos will be a group of highly-trained police officers who will instantly respond to cyber attacks in the country and carry out preventive measures.

India will have as many as 5,000 cyber commandos in the next five years, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday (Sep 10). These commandos will be a group of highly-trained police officers who will instantly respond to cyber attacks in the country and carry out preventive measures. Shah announced at the first foundation day of the I4C- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. "We will have 5,000 cyber commandos in five years. These commandos will respond to cyber threats swiftly," he said. The home minister termed cyber security as part of national security as a “country’s growth is not possible without ensuring cyber security,” said Shah. Also Read | Manipur violence: Mobile internet, broadband suspended; curfew imposed amid drone, missile attacks Shah also inaugurated a ‘suspect registry’- a database with details of criminals involved in cyber and online financial frauds that will be accessible by the states, union territories, central investigation and intelligence agencies. The registry has been created based on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), in collaboration with banks and financial intermediaries to strengthen the fraud risk management capabilities of the financial ecosystem. Watch | Study: Financial fraud top cybercrime in India × “If the states/union territories have data in silos, then it won’t help us in the fight against cyber criminals who have no boundaries. The time has come that a common registry for suspects is there,” Shah said. He further mentioned that all stakeholders will have to come together to deal with the menace. Shah also dedicated a Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) to the country, at the event. Also Read | Congress claims SEBI chair, her husband received nearly a million dollars from Mahindra and Mahindra Group The CFMC has been established at I4C with representatives of major banks, financial intermediaries, payment aggregators, telecom service providers, IT intermediaries and states/UTs law enforcement agencies (LEAs). I4C was established in October 2018, under the central sector scheme within the Cyber and Information Security Division (CIS Division) of the MHA. Its primary objective is to establish a national-level coordination centre for addressing all issues related to cybercrime across the country. Cyber crimes in India Several Indians fall prey to cyber fraud every year. Between Jan and April 2024, Indians suffered losses exceeding Rs 1,750 crore due to cybercriminal activities. This was reported through over 740,000 complaints lodged on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, which is managed by the MHA. The I4C stated that in May 2024 an average of 7,000 cybercrime complaints were recorded daily, marking a significant surge of 113.7 per cent compared to the period between 2021 and 2023, according to a report in the Economic Times. (With inputs from agencies)

India to have 5,000 cyber commandos in next 5 years to fight cyber threats: Amit Shah

A 27-year-old man from Bihar was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru for his alleged involvement in a cyber fraud case where ₹78 lakh ($92,907) was siphoned from a Gurugram resident, police said on Tuesday (Sept 3).&nbsp;

The suspect, who was attempting to flee the country at the time of his arrest, is fluent in Mandarin and had previously studied in Beijing. He has been operating a cyber fraud gang in India on behalf of a Chinese national for the past three years, according to police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cybercrime) Siddhant Jain said that evidence found on the suspect's mobile phone, including WhatsApp and Telegram chats, indicated that he was in regular communication with the Chinese national orchestrating the fraud. The suspect, identified as Bharti, had been instructed by another gang member based in Thailand to join him there to further the gang's operations.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Gen Z loses the most to online scams, report reveals

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Bharti was en route to Thailand after arriving in Bengaluru from Aurangabad when he was apprehended.

“We have issued notices to both messaging apps to obtain details that could help us trace the identity and location of the foreign national involved,” Jain was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.&nbsp;

He added that three mobile phones, two SIM cards, and ₹30,000 ($357) in cash were recovered from Bharti’s possession. The phones will undergo forensic analysis to retrieve any deleted data.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/hong-kong-office-employee-loses-more-than-25-million-after-video-call-with-deepfake-chief-financial-officer-686908">Hong Kong firm loses over $25mn after employee’s video call with deepfake ‘chief financial officer’, others</a>

During his time in Beijing, Bharti reportedly connected with the Chinese suspect, which led to his involvement in cybercriminal activities.&nbsp;

"Upon his return to India in 2021, Bharti began assisting the suspect by establishing a gang, managing communications with members, and providing access to at least six bank accounts used to defraud victims across India," Jain added.

Notably, one of Bharti’s recent victims was a 55-year-old housewife from Gurugram, who lost ₹78 lakh in a task-based fraud.&nbsp;

Investigators managed to freeze some of the stolen funds and return a portion to the victim’s bank account. Police are still searching for at least two more suspects connected to the case.&nbsp;

A 27-year-old man from Bihar was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru for his alleged involvement in a cyber fraud case where ₹78 lakh ($92,907) was siphoned from a Gurugram resident, police said on Tuesday (Sept 3).

A 27-year-old man from Bihar was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru for his alleged involvement in a cyber fraud case where ₹78 lakh ($92,907) was siphoned from a Gurugram resident, police said on Tuesday (Sept 3). The suspect, who was attempting to flee the country at the time of his arrest, is fluent in Mandarin and had previously studied in Beijing. He has been operating a cyber fraud gang in India on behalf of a Chinese national for the past three years, according to police. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cybercrime) Siddhant Jain said that evidence found on the suspect's mobile phone, including WhatsApp and Telegram chats, indicated that he was in regular communication with the Chinese national orchestrating the fraud. The suspect, identified as Bharti, had been instructed by another gang member based in Thailand to join him there to further the gang's operations. Also watch | Gen Z loses the most to online scams, report reveals × Bharti was en route to Thailand after arriving in Bengaluru from Aurangabad when he was apprehended. “We have issued notices to both messaging apps to obtain details that could help us trace the identity and location of the foreign national involved,” Jain was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times. He added that three mobile phones, two SIM cards, and ₹30,000 ($357) in cash were recovered from Bharti’s possession. The phones will undergo forensic analysis to retrieve any deleted data. Also read | Hong Kong firm loses over $25mn after employee’s video call with deepfake ‘chief financial officer’, others During his time in Beijing, Bharti reportedly connected with the Chinese suspect, which led to his involvement in cybercriminal activities. "Upon his return to India in 2021, Bharti began assisting the suspect by establishing a gang, managing communications with members, and providing access to at least six bank accounts used to defraud victims across India," Jain added. Notably, one of Bharti’s recent victims was a 55-year-old housewife from Gurugram, who lost ₹78 lakh in a task-based fraud. Investigators managed to freeze some of the stolen funds and return a portion to the victim’s bank account. Police are still searching for at least two more suspects connected to the case.

Beijing returnee Indian caught running cyberfraud gang for Chinese boss

A 72-year-old man in Bengaluru lost Rs 2.3 lakh ($2,739) after falling victim to a video call scam. According to the Times of India, the man is a doctor and had received a call from an unknown woman on July 27. Instead of disconnecting the call, he started talking to the woman. The talks turned sleazy and the doctor participated in them. Later, the woman asked the man to strip on video and he complied. Soon after, the call was disconnected.

The nightmare began the next day. He received a call from a man claiming to be a police officer. He told him that his explicit videos were on the internet and he needed to visit the police station. He then offered to get them deleted. The senior doctor then received another call from a man who posed as a YouTube employee. The man asked for Rs 41,500 to delete the videos. The doctor transferred the money, but the calls did not stop. He lost Rs 2.3 lakh to several more such men.&nbsp;

The man was unaware of the scam and so kept paying the money. But after a few days, he contacted the police. Without revealing what had transpired and that he had stripped on camera, he asked the police about how such scams work. Later, he filed a complaint with the cyber police and the search for the criminals was on.&nbsp;

<h2>Video call cyber scams</h2>

Similar cyber crimes are being reported by people of all age groups. Police have warned not to entertain calls from strangers and to never get on video calls with them.

A cybercrime advisory by the police states that during such video calls, "the unknown accused remains invisible or his fake profile photo will be visible."

"If such call is attended, the unknown caller captures “Screen Recording” or Screen Shot photo.”&nbsp;

In the case of the Bengaluru man, he stripped on camera. However, the police say that "the unknown caller" also "morphed the video or photo captured as pornographic videos and start sextortion or extorting money".&nbsp;

They pressure the person by saying they will publish the video on social media and share it with the victim's friends and families. "Hence, it is advised not to chat with unknown persons believing their fake profile ID as True."

A 72-year-old man in Bengaluru lost Rs 2.3 lakh ($2,739) after falling victim to a video call scam. According to the Times of India, the man is a doctor and had received a call from an unknown woman on July 27.

A 72-year-old man in Bengaluru lost Rs 2.3 lakh ($2,739) after falling victim to a video call scam. According to the Times of India, the man is a doctor and had received a call from an unknown woman on July 27. Instead of disconnecting the call, he started talking to the woman. The talks turned sleazy and the doctor participated in them. Later, the woman asked the man to strip on video and he complied. Soon after, the call was disconnected. The nightmare began the next day. He received a call from a man claiming to be a police officer. He told him that his explicit videos were on the internet and he needed to visit the police station. He then offered to get them deleted. The senior doctor then received another call from a man who posed as a YouTube employee. The man asked for Rs 41,500 to delete the videos. The doctor transferred the money, but the calls did not stop. He lost Rs 2.3 lakh to several more such men. The man was unaware of the scam and so kept paying the money. But after a few days, he contacted the police. Without revealing what had transpired and that he had stripped on camera, he asked the police about how such scams work. Later, he filed a complaint with the cyber police and the search for the criminals was on. Video call cyber scams Similar cyber crimes are being reported by people of all age groups. Police have warned not to entertain calls from strangers and to never get on video calls with them. A cybercrime advisory by the police states that during such video calls, "the unknown accused remains invisible or his fake profile photo will be visible." "If such call is attended, the unknown caller captures “Screen Recording” or Screen Shot photo.” In the case of the Bengaluru man, he stripped on camera. However, the police say that "the unknown caller" also "morphed the video or photo captured as pornographic videos and start sextortion or extorting money". They pressure the person by saying they will publish the video on social media and share it with the victim's friends and families. "Hence, it is advised not to chat with unknown persons believing their fake profile ID as True."

72-year-old Bengaluru doctor strips on camera, loses lakhs in video call scam

A complaint has been lodged with the cybercrime cell over a 'doctored' clip featuring Bigg Boss OTT 3 contestants Armaan Malik and Kritika Malik. The viral clip showed the couple in an intimate moment. The video led to widespread outrage on social media. The OTT platform on which the show is streamed and the makers have now alleged that the video is doctored.&nbsp; 
 
The complaint, filed with the cybercrime unit of the Mumbai Police, aims to identify the perpetrator behind this malicious act.&nbsp; 
 
The Cyber Crime unit has been asked to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to justice. 
&nbsp; 
About the viral video&nbsp; 
 
A few days ago, the internet was buzzing with the news of a shocking video featuring Armaan Malik and Kritika Malik. The video purportedly showed the couple in a compromising situation. The video went viral in no time&nbsp;and led to significant uproar. Shiv Sena leaders even called for the arrest of Malik, reflecting the video's severe social and political ramifications. 
 
Bigg Boss OTT 3 is hosted by Bollywood star Anil Kapoor and is one of the most talked about reality shows in India. Known for its ego clashes, short tempers, and emotional drama, the show attracts a massive following. The show though attempts to maintain a strict code of conduct and nudity and intimacy between contestants are not shown.&nbsp; 
 
If the video is doctored, as it is being alleged, it adds to a long list of deep fake videos that have been doing the rounds of internet in the recent times. Such videos can have a severe impact on the personal lives of individuals and the reputation of the companies involved.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bigg-boss-fans-disgusted-with-armaan-malik-and-wife-kritikas-viral-sex-video-741652">Bigg Boss fans disgusted with Armaan Malik and wife Kritika's viral sex video</a> 
 
The complaint was filed by Jio Cinema, the&nbsp;OTT platform on which the show is streamed.&nbsp; 
 
Soon after the video was shared on social media, a statement from the platform stated, “Jio Cinema adheres to strict programming standards and guidelines to ensure quality and appropriateness of any content that streams on our platform. Bigg Boss OTT, which was streamed on Jio Cinema, did not have any such content. The video clip in circulation is doctored to include obscenity and is fake.”

A complaint has been lodged with the cybercrime cell over a 'doctored' clip featuring Bigg Boss OTT 3 contestants Armaan Malik and Kritika Malik. The viral clip showed the couple in an intimate moment.

A complaint has been lodged with the cybercrime cell over a 'doctored' clip featuring Bigg Boss OTT 3 contestants Armaan Malik and Kritika Malik. The viral clip showed the couple in an intimate moment. The video led to widespread outrage on social media. The OTT platform on which the show is streamed and the makers have now alleged that the video is doctored. The complaint, filed with the cybercrime unit of the Mumbai Police, aims to identify the perpetrator behind this malicious act. The Cyber Crime unit has been asked to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to justice. About the viral video A few days ago, the internet was buzzing with the news of a shocking video featuring Armaan Malik and Kritika Malik. The video purportedly showed the couple in a compromising situation. The video went viral in no time and led to significant uproar. Shiv Sena leaders even called for the arrest of Malik, reflecting the video's severe social and political ramifications. Bigg Boss OTT 3 is hosted by Bollywood star Anil Kapoor and is one of the most talked about reality shows in India. Known for its ego clashes, short tempers, and emotional drama, the show attracts a massive following. The show though attempts to maintain a strict code of conduct and nudity and intimacy between contestants are not shown. If the video is doctored, as it is being alleged, it adds to a long list of deep fake videos that have been doing the rounds of internet in the recent times. Such videos can have a severe impact on the personal lives of individuals and the reputation of the companies involved. Bigg Boss fans disgusted with Armaan Malik and wife Kritika's viral sex video The complaint was filed by Jio Cinema, the OTT platform on which the show is streamed. Soon after the video was shared on social media, a statement from the platform stated, “Jio Cinema adheres to strict programming standards and guidelines to ensure quality and appropriateness of any content that streams on our platform. Bigg Boss OTT, which was streamed on Jio Cinema, did not have any such content. The video clip in circulation is doctored to include obscenity and is fake.”

Armaan Malik, Kritika's intimate video on Bigg Boss OTT 3 doctored? Complaint lodged with cyber crime cell

India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) collaborated with US authorities for a search operation in the northern state of Uttarakhand on Monday (April 29),&nbsp;in a bid&nbsp;to uncover a big scam involving digital currencies worth Rs 3,000 crore ($36 million). Reports indicate that this joint effort also led to the arrest of a suspect involved in an international drug trafficking network.

The investigation began in August 2023, as per sources cited in The Economic Times. Acting on information provided by US authorities, the ED recently took action against two Indian individuals allegedly tied to a drug trafficking ring.

On April 27, Parvinder Singh and Banmeet Singh were apprehended in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following raids conducted the day before.

The group reportedly used dark web marketplaces and online ads to sell drugs, establishing a network of distributors and distribution cells.

Cryptocurrency payments were allegedly involved in these transactions, with funds laundered through crypto wallets.

They operated under various aliases on platforms like Silk Road 1, AlphaBay, and Hansa.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prajwal-revanna-suspended-from-jds-over-sexual-abuse-allegations-716564">Also read |&nbsp;Prajwal Revanna suspended from JD (S) over sexual abuse allegations</a>

According to another report, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized digital assets worth Rs 1,500 crore linked to the operation.

Crucial documents related to the case were recovered by the ED and shared with the FBI.

Also watch |&nbsp;India Election 2024: Delhi Police registers case over Amit Shah's doctored video on reservation

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In addition to arrests, the agency conducted a search at Parvinder's residence in Haldwani, seeking electronic devices like computers and smartphones believed to have been used in the alleged crimes.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) collaborated with US authorities for a search operation in the northern state of Uttarakhand on Monday (April 29), in a bid to uncover a big scam involving digital currencies worth Rs 3,000 crore ($36 million).

India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) collaborated with US authorities for a search operation in the northern state of Uttarakhand on Monday (April 29), in a bid to uncover a big scam involving digital currencies worth Rs 3,000 crore ($36 million). Reports indicate that this joint effort also led to the arrest of a suspect involved in an international drug trafficking network. The investigation began in August 2023, as per sources cited in The Economic Times. Acting on information provided by US authorities, the ED recently took action against two Indian individuals allegedly tied to a drug trafficking ring. On April 27, Parvinder Singh and Banmeet Singh were apprehended in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following raids conducted the day before. The group reportedly used dark web marketplaces and online ads to sell drugs, establishing a network of distributors and distribution cells. Cryptocurrency payments were allegedly involved in these transactions, with funds laundered through crypto wallets. They operated under various aliases on platforms like Silk Road 1, AlphaBay, and Hansa. Also read | Prajwal Revanna suspended from JD (S) over sexual abuse allegations According to another report, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized digital assets worth Rs 1,500 crore linked to the operation. Crucial documents related to the case were recovered by the ED and shared with the FBI. Also watch | India Election 2024: Delhi Police registers case over Amit Shah's doctored video on reservation In addition to arrests, the agency conducted a search at Parvinder's residence in Haldwani, seeking electronic devices like computers and smartphones believed to have been used in the alleged crimes. (With inputs from agencies)

Uttarakhand cyber crime: India, US authorities work together to uncover $36mn fraud

Security researchers claimed to have uncovered a massive database leak, calling&nbsp;it the "Mother of all Breaches," which contained a staggering 26 billion records. This revelation, deemed one of the largest to date, consists of&nbsp;sensitive data from major platforms such as Twitter, Dropbox, LinkedIn, Tencent, Weibo, Adobe, Canva, and Telegram, Forbes reported.

<h2>What's the extent of the breach?</h2>

The database, a colossal 12 terabytes in size, was discovered on an unsecured page by researchers from Security Discovery and Cybernews. The sheer magnitude of the breach raises concerns about the potential consequences for the affected individuals, as it includes a vast array of personal information.

The research team believes that the database was likely compiled by a malicious actor or data broker. The aggregated data poses a significant threat, enabling threat actors to exploit it for various malicious activities. The potential risks include identity theft, advanced phishing schemes, targeted cyberattacks, and unauthorised access to personal and sensitive accounts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-cyber-threats-in-healthcare-digital-india-and-the-need-to-beef-up-cyber-security-601894">Also read |&nbsp;Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare</a>

The leaked data extends its reach to major Chinese entities, such as Tencent and Weibo, amplifying the global scale of the breach. Equally alarming is the discovery that records from various US&nbsp;and other government organisations are part of the exposed data.

While a portion of the database comprises records from previous breaches and leaks, a concerning aspect is the inclusion of numerous username and password combinations. This element significantly heightens the risk of cybercriminals leveraging the data for malicious purposes, potentially leading to identity theft, sophisticated phishing attacks, and unauthorised access to sensitive accounts.

Cybersecurity experts stress on&nbsp;the importance of vigilance among potential victims, urging them to be aware of the potential consequences of compromised passwords.&nbsp;

In response to the situation, a LinkedIn spokesperson told WION, "We are working to fully investigate these claims, and we have seen no evidence that LinkedIn's systems were breached."

Also watch |&nbsp;Australia sanctions Russian hacker for role in 2022 Medibank cyberattack

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While a considerable part of the exposed data consists of compiled records from previous breaches, this breach's magnitude is unprecedented. Notably, in 2019, Verifications.io suffered a major breach, leaking nearly one billion records, considered one of the most significant breaches at the time. Other notable breaches include MySpace (360 million), Twitter (281 million), LinkedIn (251 million), and AdultFriendFinder (220 million).

(With inputs from agencies)

Security researchers claimed to have uncovered a massive database leak, calling it the "Mother of all Breaches," which contained a staggering 26 billion records.

Security researchers claimed to have uncovered a massive database leak, calling it the "Mother of all Breaches," which contained a staggering 26 billion records. This revelation, deemed one of the largest to date, consists of sensitive data from major platforms such as Twitter, Dropbox, LinkedIn, Tencent, Weibo, Adobe, Canva, and Telegram, Forbes reported. What's the extent of the breach? The database, a colossal 12 terabytes in size, was discovered on an unsecured page by researchers from Security Discovery and Cybernews. The sheer magnitude of the breach raises concerns about the potential consequences for the affected individuals, as it includes a vast array of personal information. The research team believes that the database was likely compiled by a malicious actor or data broker. The aggregated data poses a significant threat, enabling threat actors to exploit it for various malicious activities. The potential risks include identity theft, advanced phishing schemes, targeted cyberattacks, and unauthorised access to personal and sensitive accounts. Also read | Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare The leaked data extends its reach to major Chinese entities, such as Tencent and Weibo, amplifying the global scale of the breach. Equally alarming is the discovery that records from various US and other government organisations are part of the exposed data. While a portion of the database comprises records from previous breaches and leaks, a concerning aspect is the inclusion of numerous username and password combinations. This element significantly heightens the risk of cybercriminals leveraging the data for malicious purposes, potentially leading to identity theft, sophisticated phishing attacks, and unauthorised access to sensitive accounts. Cybersecurity experts stress on the importance of vigilance among potential victims, urging them to be aware of the potential consequences of compromised passwords. In response to the situation, a LinkedIn spokesperson told WION, "We are working to fully investigate these claims, and we have seen no evidence that LinkedIn's systems were breached." Also watch | Australia sanctions Russian hacker for role in 2022 Medibank cyberattack While a considerable part of the exposed data consists of compiled records from previous breaches, this breach's magnitude is unprecedented. Notably, in 2019, Verifications.io suffered a major breach, leaking nearly one billion records, considered one of the most significant breaches at the time. Other notable breaches include MySpace (360 million), Twitter (281 million), LinkedIn (251 million), and AdultFriendFinder (220 million). (With inputs from agencies)

Major data leak: 26 billion records exposed from platforms including Twitter and LinkedIn, report says

A 17-year-old exchange student from China, Kai Zhuang, was recently cyber kidnapped in the United States, according to the police. Cyber kidnapping is a new criminal trend in which scammers extort vulnerable victims remotely and demand ransom money from their families.

A 17-year-old exchange student from China, Kai Zhuang, was recently cyber kidnapped in the United States, according to the police. Cyber kidnapping is a new criminal trend in which scammers extort vulnerable victims remotely and demand ransom money from their families. Zhuang's family in China reached out to his school in Utah to report that they received images of him that suggested someone had forcibly kidnapped him. However, Zhuang's host family in the US told the police that they had seen him earlier and were clueless about any forcible kidnapping. After receiving continuous threats about Zhuang's safety from the scammer, his family paid around $80,000 in ransom money to a Chinese bank account. Meanwhile, the scammers threatened Zhuang for about a month, asking him to comply with their demands or they would harm his family in China. They ordered him to isolate himself in the wilderness and send photos to his parents that looked like he was kidnapped. However, the Riverdale police rescued him from the woods. ALSO READ | After Elon Musk's takeover, X has lost 71 per cent of its value: Report Cyber kidnapping has become a growing concern in the US, as several other regions have reported such incidents. What is cyber kidnapping? Like other online frauds, cyber kidnapping has become a growing digital crime. In cyber kidnapping, online attackers target victims and force them into isolating themselves to demand ransom from their families. They monitor the victims through video chat and use pictures captured by them in isolated conditions to extort money from their families. Some scammers have also started using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to mimic the victim's voice. Foreign exchange students, especially those from China, are more at risk than others. How can you protect yourself from cyber kidnapping? In case any cyber kidnapper tries to contact you, immediately inform the police and end communication from your end. Also, never send money to the perpetrators. Like scams and phishing, one can prevent cyber crimes by being aware. The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has advised people to protect themselves from cyber kidnapping in the following ways: Use additional security apps and multi-factor authentication to protect your sensitive information. Update your software regularly and add malware protection to your devices. Do not click on any suspicious pop-up ads or links sent in emails from untrusted sources. Use strong passwords to protect your accounts from hackers, and do not share confidential information with anyone. Use a password manager to keep things organised. (With inputs from agencies)

What is cyber kidnapping? How to protect yourself from the ‘disturbing criminal trend’?

Google has deleted 17 SpyLoan apps from the Play Store with millions of downloads. According to a report by Slovak software company ESET on Tuesday (Dec 5), since the beginning of this year, the company observed an alarming growth of deceptive Android loan apps, which present themselves as legitimate personal loan services, promising quick and easy access to funds.

Google removes 17 'SpyLoan' apps. Delete these right away

In a coordinated effort to combat North Korean cyber activities, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have agreed to establish a high-level consultative group. These activities have been identified as a significant source of funding for North Korea's illicit weapons programmes, as reported by South Korea's presidential office, reported Reuters news agency.&nbsp;

Last week, Anne Neuberger, the US deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, engaged in discussions with her counterparts from South Korea and Japan in Washington.&nbsp;

“It is aimed at strengthening the three countries’ effective response capabilities against global cyber threats, including jointly countering North Korea’s cyber activities that are abused as a key source funding its nuclear and WMD programs,” the office said in a statement.

During these deliberations, the three nations reached a consensus to create a framework for a consultative group. This consultative group will facilitate quarterly meetings among the three countries, as per the presidential office's statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-grappling-with-outbreak-of-bedbugs-heres-why-local-govts-are-worried-655370">Also read |&nbsp;South Korea grappling with outbreak of bedbugs, here’s why local govts are worried</a>

<h2>What's the aim of this consultative group?</h2>

The primary goal of this collaborative initiative is to enhance the collective ability of the United States, South Korea, and Japan to respond effectively to global cyber threats.

The focus extends to jointly addressing North Korea's cyber activities, which are exploited as a crucial means of financing the nation's nuclear and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) programmes.

This alignment seeks to strengthen the deterrence and defence against cyberattacks originating from North Korea.

<h2>North Korea's tainted cybercrime record&nbsp;</h2>

North Korea has faced allegations of using cyberattacks to amass resources for its nuclear and missile programmes. These cyber activities have drawn condemnation and led to sanctions imposed on North Korea.&nbsp;

The United Nations reported that North Korea escalated its cryptocurrency theft in the past year, utilising sophisticated techniques, making 2022 a record year for such thefts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-shutting-its-embassies-to-rearrange-diplomatic-capacity-efficiently-654759">Also read |&nbsp;North Korea shutting its embassies to 'rearrange diplomatic capacity efficiently'</a>

Despite the mounting evidence and accusations, North Korea has consistently denied any involvement in hacking or cyberattacks. The nation's stance on this issue remains unchanged, despite the international community's assertions to the contrary.

This trilateral cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan reflects the growing concern over the cyber threats posed by North Korea.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a coordinated effort to combat North Korean cyber activities, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have agreed to establish a high-level consultative group.

In a coordinated effort to combat North Korean cyber activities, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have agreed to establish a high-level consultative group. These activities have been identified as a significant source of funding for North Korea's illicit weapons programmes, as reported by South Korea's presidential office, reported Reuters news agency. Last week, Anne Neuberger, the US deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, engaged in discussions with her counterparts from South Korea and Japan in Washington. “It is aimed at strengthening the three countries’ effective response capabilities against global cyber threats, including jointly countering North Korea’s cyber activities that are abused as a key source funding its nuclear and WMD programs,” the office said in a statement. During these deliberations, the three nations reached a consensus to create a framework for a consultative group. This consultative group will facilitate quarterly meetings among the three countries, as per the presidential office's statement. Also read | South Korea grappling with outbreak of bedbugs, here’s why local govts are worried What's the aim of this consultative group? The primary goal of this collaborative initiative is to enhance the collective ability of the United States, South Korea, and Japan to respond effectively to global cyber threats. The focus extends to jointly addressing North Korea's cyber activities, which are exploited as a crucial means of financing the nation's nuclear and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) programmes. This alignment seeks to strengthen the deterrence and defence against cyberattacks originating from North Korea. North Korea's tainted cybercrime record North Korea has faced allegations of using cyberattacks to amass resources for its nuclear and missile programmes. These cyber activities have drawn condemnation and led to sanctions imposed on North Korea. The United Nations reported that North Korea escalated its cryptocurrency theft in the past year, utilising sophisticated techniques, making 2022 a record year for such thefts. Also read | North Korea shutting its embassies to 'rearrange diplomatic capacity efficiently' Despite the mounting evidence and accusations, North Korea has consistently denied any involvement in hacking or cyberattacks. The nation's stance on this issue remains unchanged, despite the international community's assertions to the contrary. This trilateral cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan reflects the growing concern over the cyber threats posed by North Korea. (With inputs from agencies)

US, S Korea, Japan band together to launch consultative group to counter N Korea's cyber threats

Financial frauds accounted for over 75 per cent of cyber crimes in the country from January 2020 till June 2023, with nearly 50 per cent cases related to UPI and internet banking, according to a new study by an IIT Kanpur-incubated start-up.

Social media-related crimes such as cheating by impersonation, cyber-bullying, sexting and email phishing accounted for 12 per cent of the online offences during the period, the study showed.

The findings have been mentioned by the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), a non-profit start-up incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur, in its latest comprehensive whitepaper 'A Deep Dive into Cybercrime Trends Impacting India'. 
 
ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Study: Financial fraud top cybercrime in India

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For online financial frauds, which accounted for the maximum 77.41 per cent offences during the period, the FCRF noted that "this category is a dominant concern, covering fraudulent activities related to online financial transactions".

"Subcategories include debit/credit card fraud, business email compromise, internet banking-related fraud, and the alarmingly prevalent UPI (Unified Payments Interface) fraud (47.25 per cent)", it said.

These figures underscore the need for robust cyber security measures to safeguard financial transactions conducted online, the FCRF said.

Social media-related crimes accounted for 12.02 per cent online offences, according to the whitepaper.

"This category encompasses a wide range of crimes associated with online platforms and social media. Subcategories within this domain include cheating by impersonation, cyber-bullying, sexting, email phishing, and more. While cyber-bullying and impersonation accounted for significant percentages, email phishing and provocative speech for unlawful acts had a comparatively lower impact," it noted.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-cyber-threats-in-healthcare-digital-india-and-the-need-to-beef-up-cyber-security-601894">Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare</a>

The FCRF stated that "other notable categories" contributed to nine per cent of the online crimes which delve into several other cybercrime categories with smaller but notable percentages, including online cyber-trafficking, online gambling, ransomware, cryptocurrency crime, and cyber terrorism.

Highlighting the diverse methods cybercriminals use to target digital infrastructure, the whitepaper also flagged that 1.57 per cent online crimes pertained to hacking or damage to computer systems such as unauthorised access, data breach, email hacking and website defacement or hacking.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/2146-cyberattacks-target-single-indian-firm-a-week-on-average-report-616768">More than 2,000 cyberattacks target single Indian firm a week on average: Report</a>

"It is crucial for law enforcement agencies, individuals, businesses, and policymakers to understand the changing landscape of cybercrimes in India. This report not only highlights the distribution of cybercrimes but also underscores the need for collaborative efforts to combat these threats," FCRF co-founder Harshvardhan Singh said.

Singh added that "as technology continues to advance, so do the tactics of cybercriminals, making it essential for all stakeholders to stay informed and vigilant". 
 
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Financial frauds accounted for over 75 per cent of cyber crimes in the country from January 2020 till June 2023, with nearly 50 per cent cases related to UPI and internet banking, according to a new study by an IIT Kanpur-incubated start-up.

Financial frauds accounted for over 75 per cent of cyber crimes in the country from January 2020 till June 2023, with nearly 50 per cent cases related to UPI and internet banking, according to a new study by an IIT Kanpur-incubated start-up. Social media-related crimes such as cheating by impersonation, cyber-bullying, sexting and email phishing accounted for 12 per cent of the online offences during the period, the study showed. The findings have been mentioned by the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), a non-profit start-up incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur, in its latest comprehensive whitepaper 'A Deep Dive into Cybercrime Trends Impacting India'. ALSO WATCH | Study: Financial fraud top cybercrime in India For online financial frauds, which accounted for the maximum 77.41 per cent offences during the period, the FCRF noted that "this category is a dominant concern, covering fraudulent activities related to online financial transactions". "Subcategories include debit/credit card fraud, business email compromise, internet banking-related fraud, and the alarmingly prevalent UPI (Unified Payments Interface) fraud (47.25 per cent)", it said. These figures underscore the need for robust cyber security measures to safeguard financial transactions conducted online, the FCRF said. Social media-related crimes accounted for 12.02 per cent online offences, according to the whitepaper. "This category encompasses a wide range of crimes associated with online platforms and social media. Subcategories within this domain include cheating by impersonation, cyber-bullying, sexting, email phishing, and more. While cyber-bullying and impersonation accounted for significant percentages, email phishing and provocative speech for unlawful acts had a comparatively lower impact," it noted. ALSO READ | Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare The FCRF stated that "other notable categories" contributed to nine per cent of the online crimes which delve into several other cybercrime categories with smaller but notable percentages, including online cyber-trafficking, online gambling, ransomware, cryptocurrency crime, and cyber terrorism. Highlighting the diverse methods cybercriminals use to target digital infrastructure, the whitepaper also flagged that 1.57 per cent online crimes pertained to hacking or damage to computer systems such as unauthorised access, data breach, email hacking and website defacement or hacking. ALSO READ | More than 2,000 cyberattacks target single Indian firm a week on average: Report "It is crucial for law enforcement agencies, individuals, businesses, and policymakers to understand the changing landscape of cybercrimes in India. This report not only highlights the distribution of cybercrimes but also underscores the need for collaborative efforts to combat these threats," FCRF co-founder Harshvardhan Singh said. Singh added that "as technology continues to advance, so do the tactics of cybercriminals, making it essential for all stakeholders to stay informed and vigilant". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Financial frauds accounted for over 75% cyber crimes since 2020: Study

According to a study by Future Crime Research Foundation, an IIT Kanpur incubated startup, financial fraud is the number one form of cybercrime in India. Right, and the study shows that between January 2020 and June 2023 financial frauds accounted for over 75 per cent of the Cybercrimes in India.

Study: Financial fraud top cybercrime in India

India's National Security Board is conducting cyber defense exercises in the wake of threats from China and other adversaries mounting by the day. The agencies including India's TRAI services are participating in the week-long exercise to test the resilience of India's civilian and Military infrastructure. The cyber security exercises are being held under the ages of India's defense cyber agency with participants aiming to test the firewalls guarding India's critical infrastructure.

India gears up to deal with cyber threats

A scammer impersonating as a&nbsp;Maharashtra narcotics division employee scammed a Delhi doctor into paying Rs 4.47 crore ($ 548K).&nbsp;The scamster told the 34-year-old woman that a huge amount of MDMA drug had been discovered in a FedEx delivery associated with her.

Then members of the cyber criminal gang posed as officers from the Andheri police station, RBI officials, a DCP from Mumbai Police, customs sleuths, and Narcotics division detectives to swindle money from the victim.&nbsp;

As per&nbsp;a TOI report, Delhi Police filed a FIR against the scammers and launched a technical investigation.&nbsp;

Notably, it is being reported as Delhi's largest cyber crime, which began with a phone call to the victim. The crooks told the woman doctor that her FedEx shipment had been confiscated as it has MDMS drug.&nbsp;

The caller instructed her to submit a report with the Andheri police station, and the policemen told her to file the case online because the victim was in Delhi. She was instructed to download the Skype application.&nbsp;

A woman purporting to be Inspector Patil communicated with the victim over Skype and spoke with someone else about validating her Aadhaar ID. According to report, the victim overheard a conversation in which her ID was used to create 23 bank accounts in Mumbai and was flagged for money laundering.&nbsp;

Following that, she was asked to produce photographs of her bank accounts with the balances and to provide her whole financial information. On the callers' directions, the victim got caught in&nbsp;their web of lies and even broke her fixed deposits for verification.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-congress-leader-siddaramaiah-takes-oath-as-karnatakas-new-cm-dk-shivakumar-his-deputy-594399">India: Congress leader Siddaramaiah takes oath as Karnataka’s new CM, DK Shivakumar his deputy</a>

Another police officer instructed her to fill up RTGS papers, and other authorities posing as RBI personnel, as well as the Mumbai Narcotics Division officials, joined the cyber fraud and stole Rs 4.47 crore&nbsp;($548K)&nbsp;from the doctor.&nbsp;

<h2>More than 500 apps blocked over cyber fraud, spoofing concerns</h2>

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced last month&nbsp;that the Union Home Ministry had identified over 500 apps that were being used in India for spoofing and fraud.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;G7 Hiroshima Meet 2023: PM Modi meets Ukraine Prez Zelensky for first time since Russian invasion

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"The apps have been blocked on Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre's&nbsp;(I4C) recommendations due to security reasons and action has been taken as per law,"&nbsp;Shah said, while reviewing the working of the&nbsp;cyber crime centre&nbsp;at NDCC Bhawan in Delhi.

The unit prepared an analytical report on the top 50 cyber attacks' modes of operation and shared data with states. This unit is also looking into the AIIMS cyber attack.

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A scammer impersonating as a Maharashtra narcotics division employee scammed a Delhi doctor into paying Rs 4.47 crore ($ 548K). The scamster told the 34-year-old woman that a huge amount of MDMA drug had been discovered in a FedEx delivery associated with her.

A scammer impersonating as a Maharashtra narcotics division employee scammed a Delhi doctor into paying Rs 4.47 crore ($ 548K). The scamster told the 34-year-old woman that a huge amount of MDMA drug had been discovered in a FedEx delivery associated with her. Then members of the cyber criminal gang posed as officers from the Andheri police station, RBI officials, a DCP from Mumbai Police, customs sleuths, and Narcotics division detectives to swindle money from the victim. As per a TOI report, Delhi Police filed a FIR against the scammers and launched a technical investigation. Notably, it is being reported as Delhi's largest cyber crime, which began with a phone call to the victim. The crooks told the woman doctor that her FedEx shipment had been confiscated as it has MDMS drug. The caller instructed her to submit a report with the Andheri police station, and the policemen told her to file the case online because the victim was in Delhi. She was instructed to download the Skype application. A woman purporting to be Inspector Patil communicated with the victim over Skype and spoke with someone else about validating her Aadhaar ID. According to report, the victim overheard a conversation in which her ID was used to create 23 bank accounts in Mumbai and was flagged for money laundering. Following that, she was asked to produce photographs of her bank accounts with the balances and to provide her whole financial information. On the callers' directions, the victim got caught in their web of lies and even broke her fixed deposits for verification. ALSO READ | India: Congress leader Siddaramaiah takes oath as Karnataka’s new CM, DK Shivakumar his deputy Another police officer instructed her to fill up RTGS papers, and other authorities posing as RBI personnel, as well as the Mumbai Narcotics Division officials, joined the cyber fraud and stole Rs 4.47 crore ($548K) from the doctor. More than 500 apps blocked over cyber fraud, spoofing concerns Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced last month that the Union Home Ministry had identified over 500 apps that were being used in India for spoofing and fraud. ALSO WATCH | G7 Hiroshima Meet 2023: PM Modi meets Ukraine Prez Zelensky for first time since Russian invasion "The apps have been blocked on Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre's (I4C) recommendations due to security reasons and action has been taken as per law," Shah said, while reviewing the working of the cyber crime centre at NDCC Bhawan in Delhi. The unit prepared an analytical report on the top 50 cyber attacks' modes of operation and shared data with states. This unit is also looking into the AIIMS cyber attack. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Delhi’s ‘biggest cyber fraud’: Doctor duped of Rs 4.5 crore ($548K) via Skype calls

Cybersecurity has become a topic of discussion after many people have reported online scams where hackers tried to trick them. A team of researchers detected one such case where cybercriminals target people intending to steal their payment information.

Cybersecurity has become a topic of discussion after many people have reported online scams where hackers tried to trick them. A team of researchers detected one such case where cybercriminals target people intending to steal their payment information. Hackers send fraudulent emails using Netflix's branding to deceive individuals. According to the new report by Check Point Research, the phishing campaign has increased since the beginning of 2023. Omer Dembinsky, the data group manager at Check Point Software, stated that cybercriminal groups "orchestrate phishing campaigns" to get people to share their data. "In some cases, attacks are designed to obtain account information, as seen with Raiffeisen campaigns. Others are deployed to steal payment details, which we witnessed with the popular streaming service Netflix," he added. What is the 'Netflix scam' in 2023? The fraudulent email appears to originate from Netflix from an email address like support@bryanadamstribute[.]dk. The subject line is usually "Update required - Account on hold." The message in the email says that Netflix has suspended the user's account due to "failure to authorise payment for next billing cycle." Furthermore, it mentions a link to renew the Netflix subscription and requests the user to enter accurate payment details. However, the link directs users to a malicious website to steal payment details. Thus, the hacker cannot use your payment details or Netflix account until you fill in your information in the form. The cybersecurity company advised people to beware of such emails and report them. In December 2022, a 74-year-old man from Mumbai lost $1,200 while he was trying to restart his Netflix account. People must verify the source of an email requesting a user to reset a password or renew a subscription. ALSO READ | Scientists discover how X chromosome gets its shape, solving one of life's greatest mysteries How to stay safe from cyber scams? Less tech-savvy people are most likely to get scammed by such brand phishing attacks. Appropriate training to spot suspicious traits such as misspelt domains, typos, incorrect dates, and other details can expose a malicious email or link. Here are some tips for users to stay safe from such cyber scams. Sign out of unused or unrecognised devices Be aware of fake messages and websites (phishing) Verify the source (domain) of any email related to payments or passwords. Report fraudulent or suspicious activity to the concerning online streaming platform. Add a phone number for password recovery to your account. Keep your computer safe. Don't share your payment details on suspicious websites. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Netflix Scam 2023: Hackers try stealing users' payment details; Here's how to stay safe

How often have we heard of cases in India, where bank customers receive an SMS saying their accounts would get frozen or their reward points are expiring? These text messages are worded to appear legitimate and also provide links for redeeming the reward points or updating the customer details to prevent the account from being frozen. Those who end up clicking the links get scammed of huge amounts of money and only realize their mistake after it's too late.&nbsp;

In the latest incident, a serving Indian police officer was at the receiving end of something similar, after shopping on a popular e-commerce platform. With the aim of alerting fellow users, P Aravindhan, Zonal Director of Narcotics Control Bureau, Chennai Zone, shared his experience on social media.&nbsp;

According to the officer's social media post, he had recently placed an order on the Indian E-commerce website 'Nykaa' and the products had even been delivered. However, a short while after his order had been delivered on Monday 10th April, he received a call from someone claiming to be from Nykaa Customer care.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Scam alert/serious data breach issue 
I ordered few products from nykaa and within half an hour after delivery i got a scam call claiming to be from nykaa call center. This is the second time i am getting similar call and decided to play along <a href="https://t.co/HlpWwl6vHR">pic.twitter.com/HlpWwl6vHR</a>
— Aravindhan P IPS (@aravindhanIPS) <a href="https://twitter.com/aravindhanIPS/status/1645360113689976835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Claiming to be a customer care executive from Nykaa, the caller told me that I could win an iPhone 12 or a Sony Bravia TV, if I place an order worth more than Rs.5000. The caller asked me to select all the products and add them to cart. Instead of making the payment directly on the E-com platform, the caller asked me to make the payment to their account" the officer told WION. They even had my exact name, mobile number, delivery address and said that the products and the gift would be delivered there.&nbsp;

Sensing that this was a malicious call, the officer didn't proceed further and make any payment. He highlighted the issue on social media and mentioned that he is facing this issue for the second time, suspecting that the data leak could have happened from Nykaa or the delivery partner 'Delhivery'. He also raised questions on how the scammers got access to his personal data that was shared with Nykaa and how the scammers managed to call him immediately after the order delivery is fulfilled.&nbsp;

He told WION that he had raised the issue further with Nykaa and provided them with the relevant details for probing the matter.&nbsp;

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How often have we heard of cases in India, where bank customers receive an SMS saying their accounts would get frozen or their reward points are expiring? These text messages are worded to appear legitimate and also provide links for redeeming the reward points or updating the customer details to prevent the account from being frozen.

How often have we heard of cases in India, where bank customers receive an SMS saying their accounts would get frozen or their reward points are expiring? These text messages are worded to appear legitimate and also provide links for redeeming the reward points or updating the customer details to prevent the account from being frozen. Those who end up clicking the links get scammed of huge amounts of money and only realize their mistake after it's too late. In the latest incident, a serving Indian police officer was at the receiving end of something similar, after shopping on a popular e-commerce platform. With the aim of alerting fellow users, P Aravindhan, Zonal Director of Narcotics Control Bureau, Chennai Zone, shared his experience on social media. According to the officer's social media post, he had recently placed an order on the Indian E-commerce website 'Nykaa' and the products had even been delivered. However, a short while after his order had been delivered on Monday 10th April, he received a call from someone claiming to be from Nykaa Customer care. Scam alert/serious data breach issue I ordered few products from nykaa and within half an hour after delivery i got a scam call claiming to be from nykaa call center. This is the second time i am getting similar call and decided to play along pic.twitter.com/HlpWwl6vHR — Aravindhan P IPS (@aravindhanIPS) April 10, 2023 × "Claiming to be a customer care executive from Nykaa, the caller told me that I could win an iPhone 12 or a Sony Bravia TV, if I place an order worth more than Rs.5000. The caller asked me to select all the products and add them to cart. Instead of making the payment directly on the E-com platform, the caller asked me to make the payment to their account" the officer told WION. They even had my exact name, mobile number, delivery address and said that the products and the gift would be delivered there. Sensing that this was a malicious call, the officer didn't proceed further and make any payment. He highlighted the issue on social media and mentioned that he is facing this issue for the second time, suspecting that the data leak could have happened from Nykaa or the delivery partner 'Delhivery'. He also raised questions on how the scammers got access to his personal data that was shared with Nykaa and how the scammers managed to call him immediately after the order delivery is fulfilled. He told WION that he had raised the issue further with Nykaa and provided them with the relevant details for probing the matter. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Police officer places order on e-com firm, his details get leaked to scammers

Cyber crimes are rampant across the world, this is now what has come to the light. Two of Asia's biggest data centres have been hit by a cyber-security attack.

Data Centres hit by cyber attack

According to the reports, Illicit use of cryptocurrencies hit a record $20.1 billion last year as transactions involving companies targeted by U.S. sanctions skyrocketed. Watch this video to know more.

World Business Watch: Crypto crime hits record $20 billion in 2022, says report

While Indian smartphone users are keen to browse their internet and experience 5G, scammers have sensed their excitement and using new methods to trick people into scheming.

Tech Talk: Cybercriminals using 5G to dupe phone users

The Taiwanese defence ministry reported on Thursday that cyberattacks had momentarily taken down its website, and that it was collaborating closely with other agencies to strengthen cyber security as tensions with China increase.

A number of government websites, including the presidential office, were the targets of foreign cyberattacks earlier this week, some of which, according to authorities, were carried out by China and Russia.

Several hours prior to Ms. Pelosi's arrival, the official website of Taiwan's presidential office was targeted about 5 p.m., according to a statement from the office. The website saw a 200-fold increase in traffic that prevented it from displaying any information for 20 minutes. After the issues were resolved, it started operating normally again, according to the statement.

As reported by the New York times, Chinese hackers have historically targeted Taiwanese websites during crucial times like elections and crises, especially those of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Though it was unclear whether Ms. Pelosi's travel was related to the disruptions, analysts have cautioned that China could use cyberattacks to express its unhappiness with the visit.

In response to the "continuous compound information activities by foreign forces," a representative for the Presidential Office stated that the office would continue to tighten its oversight and secure the security and stable operation of important infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taiwanese defence ministry reported on Thursday that cyberattacks had momentarily taken down its website, and that it was collaborating closely with other agencies to strengthen cyber security as tensions with China increase.

The Taiwanese defence ministry reported on Thursday that cyberattacks had momentarily taken down its website, and that it was collaborating closely with other agencies to strengthen cyber security as tensions with China increase. A number of government websites, including the presidential office, were the targets of foreign cyberattacks earlier this week, some of which, according to authorities, were carried out by China and Russia. Several hours prior to Ms. Pelosi's arrival, the official website of Taiwan's presidential office was targeted about 5 p.m., according to a statement from the office. The website saw a 200-fold increase in traffic that prevented it from displaying any information for 20 minutes. After the issues were resolved, it started operating normally again, according to the statement. As reported by the New York times, Chinese hackers have historically targeted Taiwanese websites during crucial times like elections and crises, especially those of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Though it was unclear whether Ms. Pelosi's travel was related to the disruptions, analysts have cautioned that China could use cyberattacks to express its unhappiness with the visit. In response to the "continuous compound information activities by foreign forces," a representative for the Presidential Office stated that the office would continue to tighten its oversight and secure the security and stable operation of important infrastructure. (With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of Chinese military drills, Taiwan hit with cyberattack

Natalie Claus is a student at the State University of New York College at Geneseo. She is studying history at this university. Her studies were placed on hold in December 2019 when someone broke into her Snapchat account and sent 116 of her naked images to contacts, many of whom were also SUNY Geneseo students.

However, one of her friends, Katie Yates, identified it as an “online attack” right away and knew how to handle it. Yates attended the same college as Claus at the State University of New York at Geneseo, which is located 40 miles south of Rochester. After Yates reported being sexually assaulted a few months prior, someone started harassing her on social media.

Yates started looking into ways to track down her harasser after feeling like she wasn’t receiving enough support on campus. She believed that Claus may benefit from this type of vigilante work. When Claus asked for assistance, the two pals got together, made an effort to de-stress, and started working.

This was an instance of sextortion, which is defined by the FBI as when a perpetrator threatens to release sexually explicit or otherwise sensitive material if a victim doesn’t agree to the&nbsp;demands.

Money is the goal of many sextortionists. More than 18,000 sextortion complaints were filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) in 2021, resulting in losses of more than $13.6 million. However, some criminals have other motivations, such as the sense of control they get from torturing victims psychologically or obtaining pornographic material for their own use and/or to distribute.

Claus was the victim of a hacker who pretended to be a security guard, alerting her of a breach and misled her into revealing a code that gave him access to her account. He let her in, then locked her out. Snap claimed that after becoming aware of the intrusion, it removed the hacker from Claus’&nbsp;profile in less than 24 hours. Claus claims that as of the end of July, she has still lost access to her account.

The accused gained access to Claus’s “My Eyes Only” app’s secret area, which contained naked pictures Claus had taken for herself while trying to recuperate from a rape. He sent out a message with the pictures and the caption, “Flash me back if we’re besties.”

Claus developed a strategy with Yates’&nbsp;assistance. From her own page, Yates contacted Claus’s account and sent a link to some naughty pictures she might want to share. By using a website called Grabify IP Logger, the URL, which was designed to look like a pornographic website, really collected the IP address of everybody who clicked it. A virtual private network, which is so simple that it’s remarkable anyone interested in online crime wouldn’t be using it constantly, may have been used by the hacker to get around the scheme. He didn’t, though. It ended up being a critical error. 
 
In August of 2020, police made an arrest of the person who compromised her account. In exchange for a reduced sentence, 29-year-old David Mondore admitted to illegally accessing a secured computer with the intent to conduct fraud, for which he was given a six-month prison sentence. He admitted to getting illegal access to at least 300 Snapchat accounts.

Claus claims that Mondore was an absolute stranger to her. She says she doesn’t think he was a monster, but she thinks his penalty was too lenient.

Claus claimed that although she is afraid, she realises that she has fought for herself but also for everyone who follows in her footsteps.

The horrific incident has devastated her college life for next two years. Claus has gained the courage to share her story two years after the photo was delivered. She expressed the hope that by being open, it will make future encounters with similar circumstances easier for others.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Natalie Claus is a student at the State University of New York College at Geneseo. She is studying history at this university. Her studies were placed on hold in December 2019 when someone broke into her Snapchat account and sent 116 of her naked images to contacts, many of whom were also SUNY Geneseo students.

Natalie Claus is a student at the State University of New York College at Geneseo. She is studying history at this university. Her studies were placed on hold in December 2019 when someone broke into her Snapchat account and sent 116 of her naked images to contacts, many of whom were also SUNY Geneseo students. However, one of her friends, Katie Yates, identified it as an “online attack” right away and knew how to handle it. Yates attended the same college as Claus at the State University of New York at Geneseo, which is located 40 miles south of Rochester. After Yates reported being sexually assaulted a few months prior, someone started harassing her on social media. Yates started looking into ways to track down her harasser after feeling like she wasn’t receiving enough support on campus. She believed that Claus may benefit from this type of vigilante work. When Claus asked for assistance, the two pals got together, made an effort to de-stress, and started working. This was an instance of sextortion, which is defined by the FBI as when a perpetrator threatens to release sexually explicit or otherwise sensitive material if a victim doesn’t agree to the demands. Money is the goal of many sextortionists. More than 18,000 sextortion complaints were filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) in 2021, resulting in losses of more than $13.6 million. However, some criminals have other motivations, such as the sense of control they get from torturing victims psychologically or obtaining pornographic material for their own use and/or to distribute. Claus was the victim of a hacker who pretended to be a security guard, alerting her of a breach and misled her into revealing a code that gave him access to her account. He let her in, then locked her out. Snap claimed that after becoming aware of the intrusion, it removed the hacker from Claus’ profile in less than 24 hours. Claus claims that as of the end of July, she has still lost access to her account. The accused gained access to Claus’s “My Eyes Only” app’s secret area, which contained naked pictures Claus had taken for herself while trying to recuperate from a rape. He sent out a message with the pictures and the caption, “Flash me back if we’re besties.” Claus developed a strategy with Yates’ assistance. From her own page, Yates contacted Claus’s account and sent a link to some naughty pictures she might want to share. By using a website called Grabify IP Logger, the URL, which was designed to look like a pornographic website, really collected the IP address of everybody who clicked it. A virtual private network, which is so simple that it’s remarkable anyone interested in online crime wouldn’t be using it constantly, may have been used by the hacker to get around the scheme. He didn’t, though. It ended up being a critical error. In August of 2020, police made an arrest of the person who compromised her account. In exchange for a reduced sentence, 29-year-old David Mondore admitted to illegally accessing a secured computer with the intent to conduct fraud, for which he was given a six-month prison sentence. He admitted to getting illegal access to at least 300 Snapchat accounts. Claus claims that Mondore was an absolute stranger to her. She says she doesn’t think he was a monster, but she thinks his penalty was too lenient. Claus claimed that although she is afraid, she realises that she has fought for herself but also for everyone who follows in her footsteps. The horrific incident has devastated her college life for next two years. Claus has gained the courage to share her story two years after the photo was delivered. She expressed the hope that by being open, it will make future encounters with similar circumstances easier for others. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nudes stolen online and distributed, girl hacks back, gets intruder jailed

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