China's government has initiated a crackdown on bogus research papers and academic materials. Over 14,000 research papers have been withdrawn in the past year. We tell you about the major discrepancies in China's academia.

Chinese govt's on academic fraudulent systems

<p>For five years, a New York City man managed to live rent-free in a landmark Manhattan hotel by exploiting a little known local housing law. But his clever scheme took a bizarre turn when he filed paperwork claiming ownership of the entire New Yorker Hotel building, leading to his arrest this week on charges of filing false property records.</p>

<h2><strong>How did he manage to stay for free?</strong></h2>

<p>Mickey Barreto, 48, as per a CBC report, found a loophole that allowed occupants of single rooms in buildings constructed before 1969 to demand a six-month lease. He and his boyfriend paid about $200 for a room in the Art déco-style New Yorker Hotel&nbsp;built in 1930, and when he asked for a lease, the hotel promptly kicked him out.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-man-makes-partner-pregnant-by-mixing-his-own-sperm-with-fathers-escapes-paternity-test-690887">UK: Man impregnates partner by mixing his sperm with father's, escapes paternity test</a></strong></p>

<p>Barreto then took the case to court and won on appeal, eventually obtaining possession of his room. He lived there without paying rent until July 2023 because the building's owners never negotiated a lease with him and couldn't kick him out.</p>

<p>However, as per Manhattan prosecutors, in 2019, Barreto uploaded a fake deed to a city website, claiming ownership of the entire building from the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, which purchased the property in 1976. The church was founded in South Korea by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah.</p>

<p>He even tried to charge rent to a hotel tenant, "registering the hotel under his name with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for water and sewage payments, and demanding the hotel's bank transfer its accounts to him".</p>

<p>Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said, "As alleged, Mickey Barreto repeatedly and fraudulently claimed ownership of one of the City's most iconic landmarks, the New Yorker Hotel."</p>

<p>The New Yorker Hotel, situated a block from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, has been an iconic landmark in the city. The hotel has a rich history, having hosted notable figures like inventor Nikola Tesla and boxer Muhammad Ali.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-pricey-homes-on-california-clifftop-get-closer-to-edge-following-landslide-690940">US: Pricey homes on California clifftop get closer to edge following landslide</a></strong></p>

<p>Barreto's legal saga is ongoing, with the Unification Church suing him over the deed claim in 2019. He argues that the judge who gave him possession of his room indirectly gave him the entire building because it had never been subdivided. However, a judge ruled that Barreto cannot portray himself as the owner of the building in the meantime.</p>

<p>Barreto claims his actions are aimed at denying profits to the Unification Church, known for conducting mass weddings and criticised for its recruiting methods and relationship with North Korea.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


For five years, a New York City man managed to live rent-free in a landmark Manhattan hotel by exploiting a little known local housing law. But his clever scheme took a bizarre turn when he filed paperwork claiming ownership of the entire New Yorker Hotel building, leading to his arrest this week on charges of filing false property records.

For five years, a New York City man managed to live rent-free in a landmark Manhattan hotel by exploiting a little known local housing law. But his clever scheme took a bizarre turn when he filed paperwork claiming ownership of the entire New Yorker Hotel building, leading to his arrest this week on charges of filing false property records. How did he manage to stay for free? Mickey Barreto, 48, as per a CBC report, found a loophole that allowed occupants of single rooms in buildings constructed before 1969 to demand a six-month lease. He and his boyfriend paid about $200 for a room in the Art déco-style New Yorker Hotel built in 1930, and when he asked for a lease, the hotel promptly kicked him out. Also read | UK: Man impregnates partner by mixing his sperm with father's, escapes paternity test Barreto then took the case to court and won on appeal, eventually obtaining possession of his room. He lived there without paying rent until July 2023 because the building's owners never negotiated a lease with him and couldn't kick him out. However, as per Manhattan prosecutors, in 2019, Barreto uploaded a fake deed to a city website, claiming ownership of the entire building from the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, which purchased the property in 1976. The church was founded in South Korea by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah. He even tried to charge rent to a hotel tenant, "registering the hotel under his name with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for water and sewage payments, and demanding the hotel's bank transfer its accounts to him". Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said, "As alleged, Mickey Barreto repeatedly and fraudulently claimed ownership of one of the City's most iconic landmarks, the New Yorker Hotel." The New Yorker Hotel, situated a block from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, has been an iconic landmark in the city. The hotel has a rich history, having hosted notable figures like inventor Nikola Tesla and boxer Muhammad Ali. Also read | US: Pricey homes on California clifftop get closer to edge following landslide Barreto's legal saga is ongoing, with the Unification Church suing him over the deed claim in 2019. He argues that the judge who gave him possession of his room indirectly gave him the entire building because it had never been subdivided. However, a judge ruled that Barreto cannot portray himself as the owner of the building in the meantime. Barreto claims his actions are aimed at denying profits to the Unification Church, known for conducting mass weddings and criticised for its recruiting methods and relationship with North Korea. (With inputs from agencies)

NYC man lives rent-free in iconic hotel for 20 years, faces charges for false ownership claim

<p>A 43-year-old Indian national&nbsp;Yogesh K Pancholi, residing in Northville, Michigan, has been sentenced to nine years in prison on Tuesday (Jan 30) for orchestrating a nearly $2.8 million health care fraud. The case&nbsp;involved aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and witness tampering, as per US State Department.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pancholi, who owned and operated Shring Home Care Inc. (Shring), a home health company based in Livonia, Michigan, was found guilty of using deceptive practices to conceal his ownership. He was excluded from billing Medicare but Pancholi manipulated the system by purchasing Shring using the names, signatures, and personal identifying information of others.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to court documents and trial evidence, Pancholi and his co-conspirators engaged in fraudulent billing, racking up nearly $2.8 million in Medicare payments for two months of services that were never provided.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-airlines-plane-diverted-in-us-due-to-cracked-windshield-found-mid-air-685586">United Airlines plane diverted in US due to cracked windshield found mid-air</a></p>

<p>The illicitly obtained funds were then transferred through bank accounts linked to shell corporations and eventually funneled into Pancholi's accounts in India.</p>

<h2><strong>Witness tampering&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Facing indictment and on the eve of trial, Pancholi, operating under a pseudonym, attempted to obstruct justice by sending false and malicious emails to federal government agencies. The emails alleged that a government witness had committed various crimes. Pancholi did this to prevent the witness from testifying in court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rcb-fever-goes-global-somali-pirates-captured-by-indian-navy-sport-cricket-franchise-jersey-685556">RCB fever goes global: Somali pirates captured by Indian Navy sport cricket franchise jersey</a></p>

<p>In September 2023, a federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan convicted Pancholi on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit healthcare and wire fraud, two substantive counts of health care fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and witness tampering.</p>

<section>
<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-origin-couple-in-the-uk-exports-cocaine-worth-of-70-million-685578">Indian-origin couple in the UK exports cocaine worth of $70 million</a></strong></p>

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<p>The case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI Detroit Field Office and Office of Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG). Moreover, trial attorneys Shankar Ramamurthy and Andres Almendarez of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.</p>
</section>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A 43-year-old Indian national Yogesh K Pancholi, residing in Northville, Michigan, has been sentenced to nine years in prison on Tuesday (Jan 30) for orchestrating a nearly $2.

A 43-year-old Indian national Yogesh K Pancholi, residing in Northville, Michigan, has been sentenced to nine years in prison on Tuesday (Jan 30) for orchestrating a nearly $2.8 million health care fraud. The case involved aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and witness tampering, as per US State Department. Pancholi, who owned and operated Shring Home Care Inc. (Shring), a home health company based in Livonia, Michigan, was found guilty of using deceptive practices to conceal his ownership. He was excluded from billing Medicare but Pancholi manipulated the system by purchasing Shring using the names, signatures, and personal identifying information of others. According to court documents and trial evidence, Pancholi and his co-conspirators engaged in fraudulent billing, racking up nearly $2.8 million in Medicare payments for two months of services that were never provided. Also Read | United Airlines plane diverted in US due to cracked windshield found mid-air The illicitly obtained funds were then transferred through bank accounts linked to shell corporations and eventually funneled into Pancholi's accounts in India. Witness tampering Facing indictment and on the eve of trial, Pancholi, operating under a pseudonym, attempted to obstruct justice by sending false and malicious emails to federal government agencies. The emails alleged that a government witness had committed various crimes. Pancholi did this to prevent the witness from testifying in court. Also Read | RCB fever goes global: Somali pirates captured by Indian Navy sport cricket franchise jersey In September 2023, a federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan convicted Pancholi on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit healthcare and wire fraud, two substantive counts of health care fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and witness tampering. Watch | Indian-origin couple in the UK exports cocaine worth of $70 million × The case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI Detroit Field Office and Office of Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG). Moreover, trial attorneys Shankar Ramamurthy and Andres Almendarez of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Indian national gets 9 years’ jail for $2.8 million healthcare fraud, witness tampering

Ukraine's SBU security service said on Saturday it had uncovered a corruption scheme in the purchase of arms by the country's military totalling the equivalent of about $40 million.

Ukraine uncovers $40 million fraud in weapons procurement

A fraud has been uncovered in the procurement of weapons. The country's defence ministry confirmed that fraud worth about $40 million took place in the purchase of mortar shells which were never delivered.

Ukraine: $40 million embezzled in defence scheme | Fraud in weapons procurement

<p lang="en-US">The last hearing of former US president Donald Trump’s fraud trial started off in a frenzy in New York on Thursday morning (Jan 11), as a bomb squad reached the home of the judge, who is overseeing the cases, and spectators, as well as reporters, packed the courtroom to see the end of the trial.<br />
<br />
Thursday was the last opportunity for the legal team of Trump to make an appeal to Judge Arthur Engoron, who is set to decide if a fine of $370 million should be imposed on Trump for allegedly falsifying financial statements to increase his net worth.<br />
<br />
Before the court hearing started, police in Nassau County on Long Island said that responding to a security incident at Engoron’s residence, they reached the home at 5.30 am (local time).<br />
<br />
Engoron, along with his staff, has faced frequent vitriolic criticism from Trump throughout the case, and his office received many death threats.</p>

<p lang="en-US"><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-knows-who-he-wants-to-be-his-vice-president-but-wont-reveal-679131">Trump knows who he wants to be his vice president, but won't reveal</a></p>

<p lang="en-US">On Wednesday (Jan 12), the legal team of Trump and Engoron clashed again over the unusual request of Trump to deliver his own closing arguments at the trial.<br />
<br />
Engoron did not allow Trump to speak after his lawyers failed to confirm that the former US president would not use the opportunity to deliver “a campaign speech” or “impugn myself, my staff, plaintiff, plaintiff’s staff, or the New York state court system”.</p>

<h2 lang="en-US"><strong>What happened here, sir, is a fraud on me: Trump</strong></h2>

<p lang="en-US">However, Trump – who sat quietly during the closing arguments of the attorney – later started a rant in a bid to express his feelings.<br />
<br />
“We have a situation where I’m an innocent man,” Trump said to the judge. “They should pay me for what I’ve gone through. This is not consumer fraud. This is no fraud. It is a fraud on me,” he added.<br />
<br />
Trump claimed that he was persecuted by “someone running for office” while making reference to New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the case against Trump.</p>

<p lang="en-US"><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US: Trump's trial reaches its climax after clashes with the judge</strong></p>

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<p lang="en-US">Before Trump started speaking, the judge had reluctantly agreed to give the US president five minutes but had asked him to “focus on the facts” of the case.<br />
<br />
Trump also made insulting remarks at the judge as well as the attorney general Letitia James, who was present in the court.<br />
<br />
“I know this is boring to you. I know you have your own agenda,” said Trump, angrily to the judge, while sitting at the defence table. He added that James “hates” him and “doesn’t want him to get elected,” and called the case a “persecution".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The last hearing of former US president Donald Trump’s fraud trial started off in a frenzy in New York on Thursday morning (Jan 11), as a bomb squad reached the home of the judge, who is overseeing the cases, and spectators, as well as reporters, packed the courtroom to see the end of the trial.

The last hearing of former US president Donald Trump’s fraud trial started off in a frenzy in New York on Thursday morning (Jan 11), as a bomb squad reached the home of the judge, who is overseeing the cases, and spectators, as well as reporters, packed the courtroom to see the end of the trial. Thursday was the last opportunity for the legal team of Trump to make an appeal to Judge Arthur Engoron, who is set to decide if a fine of $370 million should be imposed on Trump for allegedly falsifying financial statements to increase his net worth. Before the court hearing started, police in Nassau County on Long Island said that responding to a security incident at Engoron’s residence, they reached the home at 5.30 am (local time). Engoron, along with his staff, has faced frequent vitriolic criticism from Trump throughout the case, and his office received many death threats. Also read: Trump knows who he wants to be his vice president, but won't reveal On Wednesday (Jan 12), the legal team of Trump and Engoron clashed again over the unusual request of Trump to deliver his own closing arguments at the trial. Engoron did not allow Trump to speak after his lawyers failed to confirm that the former US president would not use the opportunity to deliver “a campaign speech” or “impugn myself, my staff, plaintiff, plaintiff’s staff, or the New York state court system”. What happened here, sir, is a fraud on me: Trump However, Trump – who sat quietly during the closing arguments of the attorney – later started a rant in a bid to express his feelings. “We have a situation where I’m an innocent man,” Trump said to the judge. “They should pay me for what I’ve gone through. This is not consumer fraud. This is no fraud. It is a fraud on me,” he added. Trump claimed that he was persecuted by “someone running for office” while making reference to New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the case against Trump. Watch: US: Trump's trial reaches its climax after clashes with the judge Before Trump started speaking, the judge had reluctantly agreed to give the US president five minutes but had asked him to “focus on the facts” of the case. Trump also made insulting remarks at the judge as well as the attorney general Letitia James, who was present in the court. “I know this is boring to you. I know you have your own agenda,” said Trump, angrily to the judge, while sitting at the defence table. He added that James “hates” him and “doesn’t want him to get elected,” and called the case a “persecution". (With inputs from agencies)

NY fraud trial: Trump calls himself 'innocent', claims ‘what happened here is fraud on me’

<p>Dmitry Rybolovlev, the 180th richest person globally, with an estimated fortune of $11.4 billion,&nbsp;is set to accuse Sotheby's of aiding art dealer Yves Bouvier in a scheme that allegedly misled him into overpaying for artworks, including the renowned Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci.</p>

<p>Rybolovlev, known for his wealth in potash fertiliser and ownership of AS Monaco, is suing Sotheby's in New York, claiming the auction house inflated the estimated values of artworks, including pieces by Gustav Klimt, Amedeo Modigliani, and René Magritte.</p>

<p>The legal battle stems from Rybolovlev's discovery that art broker Yves Bouvier, who assisted in acquiring the artworks, allegedly deceived him by purchasing the works at a lower price and charging him a significantly higher amount, leading to claims of fraudulent practices.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/investors-sue-sothebys-justin-bieber-hilton-among-others-as-nft-prices-crash-626542">Also read |&nbsp;Investors sue Sotheby's, Justin Bieber, Hilton among others as NFT prices crash</a></p>

<h2><strong>Legal saga spans multiple jurisdictions</strong></h2>

<p>Rybolovlev initiated legal action against Bouvier in various countries, accusing the art adviser of misleading him over the value of 38 artworks.&nbsp;Last month, Rybolovlev and Bouvier settled the claims out of court, leaving Sotheby's in the spotlight.</p>

<p>The case, scheduled in Manhattan federal court, alleges that Sotheby's "aided and abetted Bouvier in committing fraud and breaching his fiduciary duties." Sotheby's denies the accusations, asserting adherence to legal requirements and industry best practices.</p>

<p>US district court judge Jesse Furman ruled that Sotheby's must face fraud-related claims on the sales of four works: Salvator Mundi, Tête, Wasserschlangen II, and Le Domaine d’Arnheim, paving the way for a trial beginning this week.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Sotheby's to auction rare Baghdadi astrolabe</strong></p>

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<p>Sotheby's spokesperson has denied&nbsp;any knowledge of alleged misconduct, insisting on adherence to legal requirements and financial obligations during the artwork transactions, according to The Guardian.</p>

<p>Rybolovlev sold Salvator Mundi for $450m in 2017, making it the most expensive painting ever sold. The painting, now owned by Mohammed bin Salman, has faced authenticity concerns, delaying its planned showcase in a Louvre gallery in Abu Dhabi.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Dmitry Rybolovlev, the 180th richest person globally, with an estimated fortune of $11.4 billion, is set to accuse Sotheby's of aiding art dealer Yves Bouvier in a scheme that allegedly misled him into overpaying for artworks, including the renowned Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci.

Dmitry Rybolovlev, the 180th richest person globally, with an estimated fortune of $11.4 billion, is set to accuse Sotheby's of aiding art dealer Yves Bouvier in a scheme that allegedly misled him into overpaying for artworks, including the renowned Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci. Rybolovlev, known for his wealth in potash fertiliser and ownership of AS Monaco, is suing Sotheby's in New York, claiming the auction house inflated the estimated values of artworks, including pieces by Gustav Klimt, Amedeo Modigliani, and René Magritte. The legal battle stems from Rybolovlev's discovery that art broker Yves Bouvier, who assisted in acquiring the artworks, allegedly deceived him by purchasing the works at a lower price and charging him a significantly higher amount, leading to claims of fraudulent practices. Also read | Investors sue Sotheby's, Justin Bieber, Hilton among others as NFT prices crash Legal saga spans multiple jurisdictions Rybolovlev initiated legal action against Bouvier in various countries, accusing the art adviser of misleading him over the value of 38 artworks. Last month, Rybolovlev and Bouvier settled the claims out of court, leaving Sotheby's in the spotlight. The case, scheduled in Manhattan federal court, alleges that Sotheby's "aided and abetted Bouvier in committing fraud and breaching his fiduciary duties." Sotheby's denies the accusations, asserting adherence to legal requirements and industry best practices. US district court judge Jesse Furman ruled that Sotheby's must face fraud-related claims on the sales of four works: Salvator Mundi, Tête, Wasserschlangen II, and Le Domaine d’Arnheim, paving the way for a trial beginning this week. Also watch | Sotheby's to auction rare Baghdadi astrolabe Sotheby's spokesperson has denied any knowledge of alleged misconduct, insisting on adherence to legal requirements and financial obligations during the artwork transactions, according to The Guardian. Rybolovlev sold Salvator Mundi for $450m in 2017, making it the most expensive painting ever sold. The painting, now owned by Mohammed bin Salman, has faced authenticity concerns, delaying its planned showcase in a Louvre gallery in Abu Dhabi. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian billionaire accuses Sotheby’s of art fraud collusion in high-stakes legal battle

Nigeria's former Central Bank Governor is under scrutiny over siphoning millions of dollars. A report accuses Godwin Emefiele of stashing $690 million in UK accounts and stealing some $6 million from the Nigerian Central Bank.

Nigeria's former bank chief Godwin Emefiele accused of stealing $690 million

A top Italian surgeon who has operated twice on Pope Francis is now being investigated for allegedly committing fraud by charging patients for surgery that other had performed instead of him.

Pope Francis' surgeon, Sergio Alfieri under lens for alleged fraud

<p>In a shocking lawsuit filed in the US district court in Boston, Dr&nbsp;Merle Berger, a prominent figure in the field of fertility and founder of Boston IVF, is accused of clandestinely impregnating a patient with his own sperm.</p>

<p>Despite assuring the patient, Sarah Depoian, that the sperm would come from an anonymous donor resembling her husband, a hidden truth has come to light, leading to a legal battle that exposes ethical concerns in the realm of reproductive medicine, reported the Guardian.</p>

<p>As per the civil claim, Depoian and her husband sought fertility treatment with Dr&nbsp;Berger in 1980.</p>

<p>Assured by Berger that an anonymous medical resident's sperm would be used for insemination, the couple embarked on the treatment.</p>

<p>Shockingly, it is alleged that Berger secretly replaced the promised donor sperm with his own, violating Depoian's trust and denying her the right to give informed consent.</p>

<p><img alt="Harvard medical school" src="https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a07344f78fcd2fbd700517d958446578e66c0ecd/0_200_6000_3602/master/6000.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none" /></p>

<p><em><strong>Dr Merle Berger has been a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard medical school for over three decades. Photo: Reuters&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

<p>The truth remained hidden&nbsp;for decades until Depoian's daughter, Carolyn Bester, decided to explore her ancestry through at-home DNA tests. Born in 1981, Bester uncovered the shocking truth&nbsp;that Dr Merle Berger was her biological father.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/woman-goes-to-hospital-with-stomach-pain-walks-out-with-baby-that-was-growing-in-her-bowel-669342">Also read |&nbsp;Woman goes to hospital with stomach pain, walks out with a baby weeks later</a></p>

<h2><strong>Allegations of 'medical rape'</strong></h2>

<p>Depoian's attorney, Adam Wolf, categorises Berger's actions as a severe breach of trust, describing the covert insemination as a form of "medical rape."</p>

<p>Wolf asserts that Berger intentionally violated his patient's wishes and acted unethically and illegally.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;WION Trending | Disgraced Canadian IVF doctor told to pay millions</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-trending-disgraced-canadian-ivf-doctor-told-to-pay-millions-402186/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>While Berger no longer practices, his legal team denies the allegations, claiming they lack legal or factual merit and vowing to disprove them in court.</p>

<p>This lawsuit is not an isolated incident, as similar cases are emerging across the United States.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a shocking lawsuit filed in the US district court in Boston, Dr Merle Berger, a prominent figure in the field of fertility and founder of Boston IVF, is accused of clandestinely impregnating a patient with his own sperm.

In a shocking lawsuit filed in the US district court in Boston, Dr Merle Berger, a prominent figure in the field of fertility and founder of Boston IVF, is accused of clandestinely impregnating a patient with his own sperm. Despite assuring the patient, Sarah Depoian, that the sperm would come from an anonymous donor resembling her husband, a hidden truth has come to light, leading to a legal battle that exposes ethical concerns in the realm of reproductive medicine, reported the Guardian. As per the civil claim, Depoian and her husband sought fertility treatment with Dr Berger in 1980. Assured by Berger that an anonymous medical resident's sperm would be used for insemination, the couple embarked on the treatment. Shockingly, it is alleged that Berger secretly replaced the promised donor sperm with his own, violating Depoian's trust and denying her the right to give informed consent. Dr Merle Berger has been a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard medical school for over three decades. Photo: Reuters The truth remained hidden for decades until Depoian's daughter, Carolyn Bester, decided to explore her ancestry through at-home DNA tests. Born in 1981, Bester uncovered the shocking truth that Dr Merle Berger was her biological father. Also read | Woman goes to hospital with stomach pain, walks out with a baby weeks later Allegations of 'medical rape' Depoian's attorney, Adam Wolf, categorises Berger's actions as a severe breach of trust, describing the covert insemination as a form of "medical rape." Wolf asserts that Berger intentionally violated his patient's wishes and acted unethically and illegally. Also watch | WION Trending | Disgraced Canadian IVF doctor told to pay millions While Berger no longer practices, his legal team denies the allegations, claiming they lack legal or factual merit and vowing to disprove them in court. This lawsuit is not an isolated incident, as similar cases are emerging across the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

US fertility doctor accused of covertly impregnating patient with his own sperm

US federal appeals court rules that former president Donald Trump can be sued over the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

Trump can be sued for Jan 6 riots: US court

Elven Big Tech firms and social media platforms have signed up to a UK Online Fraud Charter to combat rising levels of scams from fake adverts and romance fraud.

Tech companies to sign agreement with UK government to tackle online fraud

Just days after her success at the Latin Grammys, Colombian pop Idol Shakira is set to go on trial in Barcelona on Monday. It is for allegedly cheating Spain's tax office out of 14.5 million euros.

The tax fraud against Shakira | Singer to go on trail in Spain

<p>A recent report has revealed a 53.8 per cent increase in the complaints of fake profiles and theft in the Indian capital New Delhi this year, the Times of India citing Delhi Police data reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Till August 2023, some 2,721 complaints of fake profiles or impersonation and 2,959 complaints of profile hacking and identity theft have been registered.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the same period in 2022, a total of 1,717 complaints of fake profiles and impersonations were reported.&nbsp;Furthermore, 1,976 complaints of profile hacking and identity theft were registered in the national capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-might-drag-canada-to-fatf-for-inaction-over-terror-funding-report-650936">India might drag Canada to FATF for inaction over terror funding: Report</a></strong></p>

<h2>Some fraudsters also pose as law officials</h2>

<p>A cop told TOI that in case of fake profile cases, the accused creates a fictitious profile and dupes people. "In several cases, the accused posed as foreigners and created fake profiles on various websites. They then lured potential victims, especially women, by promising to marry them or sending them gifts from abroad," the official added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The official further stated that there have been numerous cases where the fraudsters posed&nbsp;as law enforcement officials and duped people, threatening them with 'legal action.' In some cases, the accused also creates fake websites of companies and lures people under the pretext of good investments. After taking money they delete the websites.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The officials advise people to always verify the person to whom they are sending money.</p>

<h2><strong>Personal info used for 'identity theft'</strong></h2>

<p>In the cases of identity theft cases, the accused steals the personal information of the victim and commits unauthorised transactions.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-kids-in-indias-uttar-pradesh-infected-with-hiv-hepatitis-after-blood-transfusion-report-650886">14 kids in India’s Utt</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-kids-in-indias-uttar-pradesh-infected-with-hiv-hepatitis-after-blood-transfusion-report-650886">ar Pradesh infected with HIV, Hepatitis after blood transfusion: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>The cop said, "There are cases where scammers got personal details of people and availed instant loans in their names."</p>

<p>The report adds that there have been several cases where the accused made phone calls to their victims and pretended to be relatives living abroad asking for money for emergencies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They ask for small amounts so that no one gets suspicious, " police said. They added that the fraudster also cheats companies through identity theft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They send phishing emails to companies by posing as their business partner or senior officers and seeking money transfers. Before sending the money, the person should call the company and verify the email."</p>

<p>The department advised people&nbsp;not to share their personal information with anyone, to regularly change their passwords and to select two-step verification.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A recent report has revealed a 53.8 per cent increase in the complaints of fake profiles and theft in the Indian capital New Delhi this year, the Times of India citing Delhi Police data reported.

A recent report has revealed a 53.8 per cent increase in the complaints of fake profiles and theft in the Indian capital New Delhi this year, the Times of India citing Delhi Police data reported. Till August 2023, some 2,721 complaints of fake profiles or impersonation and 2,959 complaints of profile hacking and identity theft have been registered. During the same period in 2022, a total of 1,717 complaints of fake profiles and impersonations were reported. Furthermore, 1,976 complaints of profile hacking and identity theft were registered in the national capital. Also read | India might drag Canada to FATF for inaction over terror funding: Report Some fraudsters also pose as law officials A cop told TOI that in case of fake profile cases, the accused creates a fictitious profile and dupes people. "In several cases, the accused posed as foreigners and created fake profiles on various websites. They then lured potential victims, especially women, by promising to marry them or sending them gifts from abroad," the official added. The official further stated that there have been numerous cases where the fraudsters posed as law enforcement officials and duped people, threatening them with 'legal action.' In some cases, the accused also creates fake websites of companies and lures people under the pretext of good investments. After taking money they delete the websites. The officials advise people to always verify the person to whom they are sending money. Personal info used for 'identity theft' In the cases of identity theft cases, the accused steals the personal information of the victim and commits unauthorised transactions. Also read | 14 kids in India’s Uttar Pradesh infected with HIV, Hepatitis after blood transfusion: Report The cop said, "There are cases where scammers got personal details of people and availed instant loans in their names." The report adds that there have been several cases where the accused made phone calls to their victims and pretended to be relatives living abroad asking for money for emergencies. "They ask for small amounts so that no one gets suspicious, " police said. They added that the fraudster also cheats companies through identity theft. "They send phishing emails to companies by posing as their business partner or senior officers and seeking money transfers. Before sending the money, the person should call the company and verify the email." The department advised people not to share their personal information with anyone, to regularly change their passwords and to select two-step verification. (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.

India: Complaints of identity theft and fake profiles up by 53.8% in Delhi, says report

Former US President Trump is back in court for day two of his civil fraud trial in New York City.

US: Trump civil fraud trial continues in New York

The trial of disgraced crypto star Sam Bankman-Fried got underway on Tuesday. A jury set to determine if he committed massive fraud by stealing billions of dollars from clients.

Jury to decide if FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried committed fraud

<p>In a significant legal development, a U.S. judge has ruled that Elon Musk must confront a lawsuit alleging he deceived former Twitter shareholders by failing to promptly disclose his investment in the social media platform. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The lawsuit, which accuses Musk of intentionally waiting 11 days past a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) deadline to reveal his purchase of 5 per cent of Twitter's shares, could have far-reaching implications for the tech billionaire. U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter's decision has cleared the way for shareholders in the proposed class action to pursue their claims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Judge Carter's ruling also addressed an insider trading allegation against Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, and dismissed it. Lawyers representing Musk have yet to respond to this latest development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The plaintiffs, led by an Oklahoma firefighters pension fund, contend that Musk benefited substantially by increasing his Twitter stake and quietly discussing his plans with company executives, all before ultimately disclosing his 9.2 per cent stake in April 2022. They argue that Musk's delay in disclosure resulted in them selling Twitter shares at artificially deflated prices.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Musk's legal team has argued that their client's failure to disclose in a timely manner was unintentional, attributing it to his hectic schedule as "one of the busiest people on the planet."&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Judge Carter expressed&nbsp;scepticism&nbsp;about Musk's claim of being too busy, pointing out that Musk had found time to acquire Twitter shares, meet with company executives, and engage in online discussions about Twitter. The judge also noted that Musk had demonstrated an understanding of the 5 per cent disclosure rule, having testified about it under oath and properly disclosed stakes in his electric car company, Tesla, as well as the former SolarCity, on multiple occasions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, which amounted to $44 billion in October 2022, marked a significant move in the tech world. Under SEC regulations, investors are required to disclose the acquisition of 5 per cent or more of a company's shares within 10 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When Musk eventually revealed his 9.2 per cent stake in Twitter on April 4, 2022, the social media company's shares experienced a notable surge, rising by 27 per cent from $39.31 to $49.97. This event ultimately valued Twitter at $54.20 per share.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The legal case, titled Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System v. Musk et al, is now set to proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;</i></p>

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In a significant legal development, a U.S. judge has ruled that Elon Musk must confront a lawsuit alleging he deceived former Twitter shareholders by failing to promptly disclose his investment in the social media platform.

In a significant legal development, a U.S. judge has ruled that Elon Musk must confront a lawsuit alleging he deceived former Twitter shareholders by failing to promptly disclose his investment in the social media platform. The lawsuit, which accuses Musk of intentionally waiting 11 days past a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) deadline to reveal his purchase of 5 per cent of Twitter's shares, could have far-reaching implications for the tech billionaire. U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter's decision has cleared the way for shareholders in the proposed class action to pursue their claims. Judge Carter's ruling also addressed an insider trading allegation against Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, and dismissed it. Lawyers representing Musk have yet to respond to this latest development. The plaintiffs, led by an Oklahoma firefighters pension fund, contend that Musk benefited substantially by increasing his Twitter stake and quietly discussing his plans with company executives, all before ultimately disclosing his 9.2 per cent stake in April 2022. They argue that Musk's delay in disclosure resulted in them selling Twitter shares at artificially deflated prices. Musk's legal team has argued that their client's failure to disclose in a timely manner was unintentional, attributing it to his hectic schedule as "one of the busiest people on the planet." However, Judge Carter expressed scepticism about Musk's claim of being too busy, pointing out that Musk had found time to acquire Twitter shares, meet with company executives, and engage in online discussions about Twitter. The judge also noted that Musk had demonstrated an understanding of the 5 per cent disclosure rule, having testified about it under oath and properly disclosed stakes in his electric car company, Tesla, as well as the former SolarCity, on multiple occasions. Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, which amounted to $44 billion in October 2022, marked a significant move in the tech world. Under SEC regulations, investors are required to disclose the acquisition of 5 per cent or more of a company's shares within 10 days. When Musk eventually revealed his 9.2 per cent stake in Twitter on April 4, 2022, the social media company's shares experienced a notable surge, rising by 27 per cent from $39.31 to $49.97. This event ultimately valued Twitter at $54.20 per share. The legal case, titled Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System v. Musk et al, is now set to proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Elon Musk to face fraud lawsuit over delayed Twitter stake disclosure 

A Spanish prosecutor has lodged a second tax claim against Colombian singer Shakira, accusing her of defrauding the state of 6.6 million euros ($7.0 million) in 2018, according to a request to the investigating court seen on Tuesday.

Shakira owes $7 Mln in second Spanish tax fraud case: Prosecutor

<p>Convicted murderer Alex&nbsp;Murdaugh on Thursday (September 21) pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen fraud and money laundering charges&nbsp;in a federal court in Charleston, making it the first time he had accepted responsibility for his crimes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 charges in total, which include 14 counts of money laundering,&nbsp;five counts of wire fraud,&nbsp;one count of bank fraud,&nbsp;one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; and&nbsp;one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the majority of the charges carry a maximum federal sentence of 20 years, some carry a maximum sentence of 30 years, the court filings showed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to media reports, Murdaugh cried in the courtroom as he told the judge he was pleading guilty of his own free will.&nbsp;Murdaugh added he was doing so not only because he was guilty of the said crime but to also show his son Buster, that he was taking responsibility for his actions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I want to take responsibility. I want my son to see me take responsibility. It's my hope that by taking responsibility that the people I've hurt can begin to heal," said Murdaugh, clad in the&nbsp;orange South Carolina prison jumpsuit.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-alex-murdaugh-guilty-of-murdering-wife-son-568021"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;US: Alex Murdaugh guilty of murdering wife, son</strong></a></p>

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<p>Judge Richard Gergel, presiding over the case, heard Murdaugh's statement and later accepted and signed the plea agreement. He will now determine federal&nbsp;sentencing for Murdaugh at a later date.</p>

<p>“Alex Murdaugh’s financial crimes were extensive, brazen, and callous.&nbsp;He stole indiscriminately from his clients, from his law firm, and from others who trusted him. The US Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and SLED committed to investigating and prosecuting Murdaugh’s financial crimes when they first came to light. Today marks our fulfilment of that promise," said US&nbsp;Attorney Adair F.&nbsp;Boroughs during the proceedings.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-alex-murdaugh-scion-of-a-legal-dynasty-involved-in-trial-of-the-century-566691"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Explained: Alex Murdaugh, scion of a legal dynasty involved in 'trial of the century'</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>What does the deal say?</strong></h2>

<p>According to the plea agreement signed between Murdaugh and federal prosecutors, if the former cooperates and complies with the conditions set forth, the government attorneys will recommend to the court that any federal sentence he receives for these charges&nbsp;“be served concurrent to any state sentence served for the same conduct".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Currently, Murdaugh is serving a prison sentence without parole in a South Carolina jail for gunning down his wife and son at the family estate on&nbsp;June 7, 2021. The 55-year-old has denied any&nbsp;role in the killings and maintained his innocence before being convicted on two counts of murder earlier this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His team of lawyers last month filed a new motion, seeking a new trial, alleging that the&nbsp;Colleton County Clerk of Court tampered with the jury.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh on Thursday (September 21) pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen fraud and money laundering charges in a federal court in Charleston, making it the first time he had accepted responsibility for his crimes.

Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh on Thursday (September 21) pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen fraud and money laundering charges in a federal court in Charleston, making it the first time he had accepted responsibility for his crimes. Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 charges in total, which include 14 counts of money laundering, five counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. While the majority of the charges carry a maximum federal sentence of 20 years, some carry a maximum sentence of 30 years, the court filings showed. According to media reports, Murdaugh cried in the courtroom as he told the judge he was pleading guilty of his own free will. Murdaugh added he was doing so not only because he was guilty of the said crime but to also show his son Buster, that he was taking responsibility for his actions. "I want to take responsibility. I want my son to see me take responsibility. It's my hope that by taking responsibility that the people I've hurt can begin to heal," said Murdaugh, clad in the orange South Carolina prison jumpsuit. Watch | US: Alex Murdaugh guilty of murdering wife, son × Judge Richard Gergel, presiding over the case, heard Murdaugh's statement and later accepted and signed the plea agreement. He will now determine federal sentencing for Murdaugh at a later date. “Alex Murdaugh’s financial crimes were extensive, brazen, and callous. He stole indiscriminately from his clients, from his law firm, and from others who trusted him. The US Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and SLED committed to investigating and prosecuting Murdaugh’s financial crimes when they first came to light. Today marks our fulfilment of that promise," said US Attorney Adair F. Boroughs during the proceedings. Also read | Explained: Alex Murdaugh, scion of a legal dynasty involved in 'trial of the century' What does the deal say? According to the plea agreement signed between Murdaugh and federal prosecutors, if the former cooperates and complies with the conditions set forth, the government attorneys will recommend to the court that any federal sentence he receives for these charges “be served concurrent to any state sentence served for the same conduct". Currently, Murdaugh is serving a prison sentence without parole in a South Carolina jail for gunning down his wife and son at the family estate on June 7, 2021. The 55-year-old has denied any role in the killings and maintained his innocence before being convicted on two counts of murder earlier this year. His team of lawyers last month filed a new motion, seeking a new trial, alleging that the Colleton County Clerk of Court tampered with the jury. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Crying Murdaugh pleads guilty on 22 counts of fraud and money laundering charges

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<p>A US District Court has sentenced two Indian nationals to 41 months in prison for committing wire fraud and illegally obtaining $1.2 million from victims across the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to US Attorney Philip R. Selliger, Arushobike Mitra, 29, and Garbita Mitra, 25, were found guilty before US District Judge Esther Salas on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. "These defendants and their conspirators preyed upon some of our most vulnerable citizens, using trickery and threats to coerce them into sending money," Sellinger said at the Newark federal court on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The US attorney added, "Protecting our elderly population from these kinds of deceitful robocall scams is a priority of our office. Those who engage in this kind of elder fraud scheme can expect to face justice." He also credited several US government agencies for investigating the case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In addition to the prison terms, Judge Salas sentenced Arushobike Mitra and Garbita Mitra to three years of supervised release. The bench also ordered them to pay $835,324 in restitution.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/anxiety-builds-among-indian-students-and-residents-going-to-canada-as-relations-deteriorate-637841" target="_blank">Anxiety builds among Indian students and residents going to Canada as relations deteriorate</a></p>

<p>The court documented the case as an international fraud scheme where India-based scam centres used automated robocalls to contact victims across the United States with the intent of defrauding them, particularly senior citizens, reported PTI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the scammers established contact with the victims using these automated calls, they tricked them into sending large amounts of money through physical shipments or wire transfers to other members involved in the fraud, including the Mitras.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scammers used several schemes to persuade victims to send money, like pretending to be officials from government agencies like the Social Security Administration, FBI or DEA. According to the federal prosecutors, they threatened victims with severe legal or financial consequences.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nawaz-sharif-praises-modi-says-pak-begging-for-funds-while-india-reaches-moon-637754" target="_blank">Nawaz Sharif praises Modi, says Pak begging for funds while India has reached the Moon</a></p>

<p>Furthermore, the fraudsters convinced the victims they were from a tech support company, forcing them into providing remote access to their personal computers and confidential information.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scammer pretends to add money to the victim's bank account. But in reality, they transfer money from another victim's accounts. The victim believes that they received extra money. Then, the scammer instructs the victim to send money via mail or wire transfer to members involved in the scam, such as the Mitras.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A US District Court has sentenced two Indian nationals to 41 months in prison for committing wire fraud and illegally obtaining $1.2 million from victims across the United States.

A US District Court has sentenced two Indian nationals to 41 months in prison for committing wire fraud and illegally obtaining $1.2 million from victims across the United States. According to US Attorney Philip R. Selliger, Arushobike Mitra, 29, and Garbita Mitra, 25, were found guilty before US District Judge Esther Salas on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. "These defendants and their conspirators preyed upon some of our most vulnerable citizens, using trickery and threats to coerce them into sending money," Sellinger said at the Newark federal court on Tuesday. The US attorney added, "Protecting our elderly population from these kinds of deceitful robocall scams is a priority of our office. Those who engage in this kind of elder fraud scheme can expect to face justice." He also credited several US government agencies for investigating the case. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Salas sentenced Arushobike Mitra and Garbita Mitra to three years of supervised release. The bench also ordered them to pay $835,324 in restitution. ALSO READ | Anxiety builds among Indian students and residents going to Canada as relations deteriorate The court documented the case as an international fraud scheme where India-based scam centres used automated robocalls to contact victims across the United States with the intent of defrauding them, particularly senior citizens, reported PTI. After the scammers established contact with the victims using these automated calls, they tricked them into sending large amounts of money through physical shipments or wire transfers to other members involved in the fraud, including the Mitras. The scammers used several schemes to persuade victims to send money, like pretending to be officials from government agencies like the Social Security Administration, FBI or DEA. According to the federal prosecutors, they threatened victims with severe legal or financial consequences. ALSO READ | Nawaz Sharif praises Modi, says Pak begging for funds while India has reached the Moon Furthermore, the fraudsters convinced the victims they were from a tech support company, forcing them into providing remote access to their personal computers and confidential information. The scammer pretends to add money to the victim's bank account. But in reality, they transfer money from another victim's accounts. The victim believes that they received extra money. Then, the scammer instructs the victim to send money via mail or wire transfer to members involved in the scam, such as the Mitras. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US federal court sentences two Indian nationals to 41 months in prison for robocall scam

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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'.<br />
<br />
<strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Study: Financial fraud top cybercrime in India</strong></p>

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<p>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".</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>These figures underscore the need for robust cyber security measures to safeguard financial transactions conducted online, the FCRF said.</p>

<p>Social media-related crimes accounted for 12.02 per cent online offences, according to the whitepaper.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p><strong>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></strong></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><strong>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></strong></p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>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".<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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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

After two and a half years, Sanjeev Gupta, whose business GFG alliance is the subject of a fraud and money-laundering investigation, has returned to the United Kingdom. Bloomberg sources say Gupta, who now resides in Dubai, is visiting the UK to see a sick relative and attend business meetings.

Sanjeev Gupta returns to the UK amid GFG fraud investigation

Hindenburg research has revealed a new target, Freedom Holding Corp, a retail brokerage business.

Hindenburg accuses Freedom Holding Corp of fraud

<p>A Boston woman, aged 32, is facing criminal charges after being accused of impersonating a student and attending three different high schools in the Boston Public Schools system. The woman named Shelby Hewitt, who is a former state social worker, has been charged with document forgery, identity fraud, and "uttering false or forged records, deeds or other writings." The charges were filed in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court.</p>

<h2><strong>‘Extremely sophisticated fraud’</strong></h2>

<p>Superintendent Mary Skipper sent a letter to parents last week, informing them about the situation. According to Skipper, an adult woman used fake identification and paperwork to register and transfer schools using multiple false identities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The woman attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester, Brighton High School, and English High School in Jamaica Plain during the 2022-2023 school year. Skipper expressed her deep concern over the breach of trust and referred to the case as "extremely sophisticated fraud."</p>

<h2><strong>Motive&nbsp;remains unclear</strong></h2>

<p>The woman's motives for attending the high schools remain unclear, as the criminal complaint against Hewitt does not provide any information about her. As per media reports, the Boston Public Schools staff noticed irregularities in her paperwork, leading to the eventual discovery of the ‘fraud’.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police were involved, and a search warrant was executed at a residence in Jamaica Plain&nbsp;where Hewitt lived with two individuals posing as her parents. During the search, officers found forged documents from Lowell Juvenile Court and the Department of Children and Families, containing custody information for individuals referred to as DBH and EAH.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US loses $200bn in COVID-19 loan fraud</strong></p>

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<p>Hewitt used the name "Daniella" at Burke High School and "Ellie" at English High School. The incident has caused great concern and unease among students, parents, and city leaders, as reported by local media.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Boston mayor ‘disturbed’</strong></h2>

<p>Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appeared on WBUR's "Radio Boston" and expressed her dismay at the situation, highlighting the general sense of shock and frustration within the community.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/fraudsters-make-off-with-200-billion-from-covid-relief-programs-says-us-watchdog-609559"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Fraudsters make off with $200 billion from Covid Relief Programs, says US watchdog</strong></a></p>

<p>She said, “It’s extremely disturbing, right? If someone told me that an adult many decades removed from being in some of these age-appropriate settings was back in school — it’s concerning.”</p>

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A Boston woman, aged 32, is facing criminal charges after being accused of impersonating a student and attending three different high schools in the Boston Public Schools system.

A Boston woman, aged 32, is facing criminal charges after being accused of impersonating a student and attending three different high schools in the Boston Public Schools system. The woman named Shelby Hewitt, who is a former state social worker, has been charged with document forgery, identity fraud, and "uttering false or forged records, deeds or other writings." The charges were filed in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court. ‘Extremely sophisticated fraud’ Superintendent Mary Skipper sent a letter to parents last week, informing them about the situation. According to Skipper, an adult woman used fake identification and paperwork to register and transfer schools using multiple false identities. The woman attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester, Brighton High School, and English High School in Jamaica Plain during the 2022-2023 school year. Skipper expressed her deep concern over the breach of trust and referred to the case as "extremely sophisticated fraud." Motive remains unclear The woman's motives for attending the high schools remain unclear, as the criminal complaint against Hewitt does not provide any information about her. As per media reports, the Boston Public Schools staff noticed irregularities in her paperwork, leading to the eventual discovery of the ‘fraud’. Police were involved, and a search warrant was executed at a residence in Jamaica Plain where Hewitt lived with two individuals posing as her parents. During the search, officers found forged documents from Lowell Juvenile Court and the Department of Children and Families, containing custody information for individuals referred to as DBH and EAH. Watch: US loses $200bn in COVID-19 loan fraud × Hewitt used the name "Daniella" at Burke High School and "Ellie" at English High School. The incident has caused great concern and unease among students, parents, and city leaders, as reported by local media. Boston mayor ‘disturbed’ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appeared on WBUR's "Radio Boston" and expressed her dismay at the situation, highlighting the general sense of shock and frustration within the community. Also read: Fraudsters make off with $200 billion from Covid Relief Programs, says US watchdog She said, “It’s extremely disturbing, right? If someone told me that an adult many decades removed from being in some of these age-appropriate settings was back in school — it’s concerning.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Boston woman charged with fraud for masquerading as student and attending three high schools

The United States has reportedly lost more than 200 billion dollars to fraud during the covid-19 pandemic. The money was originally meant to help small businesses make it through the tough times during lockdown. A report was issued by the US government watchdog on Tuesday uncovering details of the fraud.

US loses $200bn in COVID-19 loan fraud

<p>A joint operation by Delhi Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Interpol busted a call centre gang operating from India which scammed US citizens out of $20 million by impersonating a high-ranking officer from the US Drugs Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to Delhi Police. The team arrested six individuals. It includes four in India, one in Uganda, and one in Canada.</p>

<h2><strong>Arrested masterminds</strong></h2>

<p>The arrested individuals are Vatsal Mehta, Parth Armarkar, Deepak Arora, and Prashant Kumar. Mehta is believed to be the mastermind behind the operation, while Armarkar managed call centres&nbsp;in Uganda and India. The gang would impersonate a senior DEA officer named Uttam Dhillon and contact potential victims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>HCS Dhaliwal, Special Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police Special Cell said, "The FBI informed us of Parth Armarkar, who is originally from Gujarat but has been living in Uganda for a long time. In Uganda, he ran call centres. US's DEA has had a senior officer, Uttam Dhillon. He (Armarkar) impersonated his identity and called the potential victims," as per media reports.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Impersonation, scam technique</strong></h2>

<p>Their common approach involved informing the targets that child pornographic material had been confiscated at the US-Mexico border, claiming that their contact information was found during the investigation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To avoid serious legal consequences, the victims were coerced into paying a penalty.</p>

<p>The gang carefully selected targets, primarily wealthy individuals unlikely to report the scam to law enforcement agencies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/microsoft-outages-in-early-june-due-to-cyberattacks-605731">Microsoft outages in early June due to cyberattacks</a></p>

<p>Even a cursory internet search would verify the existence of a real Uttam Dhillon working as a DEA administrator, adding credibility to their impersonation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The gang conducted thorough research and targeted victims based on factors such as wealth, lack of technical knowledge, and loneliness.</p>

<h2><strong>Operational base</strong></h2>

<p>While the gang primarily operated from Uganda, they occasionally made calls from India. In one instance, Armarkar allegedly requested a target in India to pay the penalty with gold bars instead of money.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Regardless of the victim's location within the United States, the gang ensured someone would collect the payment.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-schoolgirls-poisoning-state-sanctioned-committee-tries-to-downplay-poisoning-attacks-says-report-605671">Iran schoolgirls poisoning: State-sanctioned committee tries to downplay poisoning attacks, says report</a></p>

<p>The FBI has interviewed approximately 50 victims, and the total amount defrauded through this racket is estimated to be $20 million.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unlike minor scams involving a few hundred dollars, this operation targeted victims with sums exceeding $100,000 per person. The gang meticulously profiled their targets, scanning their social media accounts and exploiting vulnerabilities such as lack of technical expertise or feelings of isolation.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Russia's latest space agency mission: Raising a militia for the war in Ukraine?</strong></p>

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<p>Law enforcement authorities expect more victims to come forward. The gang used the dark web to identify individuals engaged in consuming child pornography, creating a sense of vulnerability among their targets, the official said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Believing that they were under investigation, victims sought to avoid trouble by making payments through cryptocurrencies or wire transfers.</p>

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A joint operation by Delhi Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Interpol busted a call centre gang operating from India which scammed US citizens out of $20 million by impersonating a high-ranking officer from the US Drugs Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to Delhi Police.

A joint operation by Delhi Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Interpol busted a call centre gang operating from India which scammed US citizens out of $20 million by impersonating a high-ranking officer from the US Drugs Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to Delhi Police. The team arrested six individuals. It includes four in India, one in Uganda, and one in Canada. Arrested masterminds The arrested individuals are Vatsal Mehta, Parth Armarkar, Deepak Arora, and Prashant Kumar. Mehta is believed to be the mastermind behind the operation, while Armarkar managed call centres in Uganda and India. The gang would impersonate a senior DEA officer named Uttam Dhillon and contact potential victims. HCS Dhaliwal, Special Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police Special Cell said, "The FBI informed us of Parth Armarkar, who is originally from Gujarat but has been living in Uganda for a long time. In Uganda, he ran call centres. US's DEA has had a senior officer, Uttam Dhillon. He (Armarkar) impersonated his identity and called the potential victims," as per media reports. Impersonation, scam technique Their common approach involved informing the targets that child pornographic material had been confiscated at the US-Mexico border, claiming that their contact information was found during the investigation. To avoid serious legal consequences, the victims were coerced into paying a penalty. The gang carefully selected targets, primarily wealthy individuals unlikely to report the scam to law enforcement agencies. Also Read | Microsoft outages in early June due to cyberattacks Even a cursory internet search would verify the existence of a real Uttam Dhillon working as a DEA administrator, adding credibility to their impersonation. The gang conducted thorough research and targeted victims based on factors such as wealth, lack of technical knowledge, and loneliness. Operational base While the gang primarily operated from Uganda, they occasionally made calls from India. In one instance, Armarkar allegedly requested a target in India to pay the penalty with gold bars instead of money. Regardless of the victim's location within the United States, the gang ensured someone would collect the payment. Also Read | Iran schoolgirls poisoning: State-sanctioned committee tries to downplay poisoning attacks, says report The FBI has interviewed approximately 50 victims, and the total amount defrauded through this racket is estimated to be $20 million. Unlike minor scams involving a few hundred dollars, this operation targeted victims with sums exceeding $100,000 per person. The gang meticulously profiled their targets, scanning their social media accounts and exploiting vulnerabilities such as lack of technical expertise or feelings of isolation. Watch | Russia's latest space agency mission: Raising a militia for the war in Ukraine? × Law enforcement authorities expect more victims to come forward. The gang used the dark web to identify individuals engaged in consuming child pornography, creating a sense of vulnerability among their targets, the official said. Believing that they were under investigation, victims sought to avoid trouble by making payments through cryptocurrencies or wire transfers. 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. ×

Delhi Police, FBI bust call centre scam which conned US citizens of $20 million

<p>A mobile store owner from Maharashtra's Thane district who lost Rs 36 lakh (US$43,953)&nbsp;in a cryptocurrency fraud more than a year ago has recovered all of his money after the police solved the case and found that&nbsp;a Chinese national was responsible for the wrongdoing.</p>

<p>The investigation in the case was conducted by the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police commissionerate's cyber cell, reported PTI.</p>

<p>As per&nbsp;Sujitkumar Gunjkar, senior inspector of the MBVV cyber cell, the victim was lured&nbsp;into cryptocurrency trading in February 2022 after he joined a WhatsApp group for cryptocurrency dealers.</p>

<p>The group administrator, a woman, contacted him and sought investment&nbsp;in a cryptocurrency that promised lucrative returns.</p>

<p>“Falling prey to the tactics, the victim invested the money through a mobile app and bought cryptocurrency worth $39,596,” Gunjkar&nbsp;told PTI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The WhatsApp group was shut down in May of last year, and the official said that despite several attempts, he was unable to get in touch with the group administrator.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The victim then realised that he has been cheated. After that, he approached the cyber police and lodged a complaint. A probe was launched and worked on various leads. During the process, the police came across OKX, a Seychelles-registered cryptocurrency exchange,” Gunjkar said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-sec-goes-after-coinbase-just-one-day-after-suing-binance-601474">US SEC goes after crypto exchange Coinbase, just one day after suing Binance</a></p>

<h2><strong>How did the cops solve the case?</strong></h2>

<p>The cops discovered a suspicious bitcoin wallet while conducting their investigation. The wallet belonged to a Chinese citizen, the police learned after speaking with OKX, the senior inspector added. A cryptocurrency wallet, which can be hardware or software and come in many forms and sizes, allows users to store and access digital money.</p>

<p>A case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) was redistered at the Kashimira police station as a&nbsp;result of the complaint and inquiry, the officer said. After gathering information about the offence and its implications, the cyber cell went to the local court. They informed the court that the victim's money was in the Chinese national's wallet and that the victim had been contacted by Hong Kong-based numbers, he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US regulators crackdown on cryptocurrency exchanges</strong></p>

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<p>The court directed that the Rs 36 lakh (US$43,953)&nbsp;in cryptocurrencies be restored to the complainant after reviewing the arguments presented by the cyber cell. The money was thus found and returned to the victim a few days ago.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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A mobile store owner from Maharashtra's Thane district who lost Rs 36 lakh (US$43,953) in a cryptocurrency fraud more than a year ago has recovered all of his money after the police solved the case and found that a Chinese national was responsible for the wrongdoing.

A mobile store owner from Maharashtra's Thane district who lost Rs 36 lakh (US$43,953) in a cryptocurrency fraud more than a year ago has recovered all of his money after the police solved the case and found that a Chinese national was responsible for the wrongdoing. The investigation in the case was conducted by the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police commissionerate's cyber cell, reported PTI. As per Sujitkumar Gunjkar, senior inspector of the MBVV cyber cell, the victim was lured into cryptocurrency trading in February 2022 after he joined a WhatsApp group for cryptocurrency dealers. The group administrator, a woman, contacted him and sought investment in a cryptocurrency that promised lucrative returns. “Falling prey to the tactics, the victim invested the money through a mobile app and bought cryptocurrency worth $39,596,” Gunjkar told PTI. The WhatsApp group was shut down in May of last year, and the official said that despite several attempts, he was unable to get in touch with the group administrator. “The victim then realised that he has been cheated. After that, he approached the cyber police and lodged a complaint. A probe was launched and worked on various leads. During the process, the police came across OKX, a Seychelles-registered cryptocurrency exchange,” Gunjkar said. Also read | US SEC goes after crypto exchange Coinbase, just one day after suing Binance How did the cops solve the case? The cops discovered a suspicious bitcoin wallet while conducting their investigation. The wallet belonged to a Chinese citizen, the police learned after speaking with OKX, the senior inspector added. A cryptocurrency wallet, which can be hardware or software and come in many forms and sizes, allows users to store and access digital money. A case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) was redistered at the Kashimira police station as a result of the complaint and inquiry, the officer said. After gathering information about the offence and its implications, the cyber cell went to the local court. They informed the court that the victim's money was in the Chinese national's wallet and that the victim had been contacted by Hong Kong-based numbers, he said. Also watch | US regulators crackdown on cryptocurrency exchanges The court directed that the Rs 36 lakh (US$43,953) in cryptocurrencies be restored to the complainant after reviewing the arguments presented by the cyber cell. The money was thus found and returned to the victim a few days ago. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Case cracked: Man gets back $43K (Rs 36 lakh) lost in crypto fraud. Here’s how

<p>An online fraud scheme run via WhatsApp link and a fraudulent app fuelled by a rumours promising substantial profits from buying virtual animals, like pigs, ducks etc., has cost hundreds of thousands of rupees to villagers in India's state of Bihar. As reported by Boom Decode, the scheme had lured people to invest&nbsp;in pigs and other livestock online through a game, with the expectation of high returns.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here's all you need to know:</p>

<h2><strong>How it all started</strong></h2>

<p>The origins of the online scam can be traced back to a WhatsApp message that circulated in Bihar, claiming that purchasing animals online could yield profits of up to thousands of rupees within a few months. The message propagated the idea that an online game called ‘Smile Rancher’ helped a middle-aged man win big by "investing" in the online purchase of livestock. As per the claims, the man won INR 20 lakh or $2 million.</p>

<h2><strong>The scheme</strong></h2>

<p>The report quotes an 18-year-old victim of the scheme,&nbsp;Suraj Kumar who revealed that people had to create an account by entering a six-digit password. Once that was done, they would find pictures of dozens of animals which they could buy.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bird-flu-fowls-the-mood-kills-nearly-9000-marine-creatures-in-chile-france-develops-vaccine-for-ducks-596812">Bird flu 'fowls' the mood, kills nearly 9,000 marine creatures in Chile, France develops vaccine for ducks</a></strong></p>

<p>After paying for the purchase, all they had to do was log in everyday and click on the animal. This would result in them getting paid a certain amount in the app's wallet.</p>

<p>"The most expensive was the peacock, which cost Rs 50,000. It would earn Rs 3,000 a day. Duck was the cheapest one which cost Rs 5,000 rupees, the app claimed to offer Rs 400 for it every day," said Kumar.</p>

<p>"One had to log in every day and click on the animal or bird that was bought. The earnings on the animals would come in the wallet of the account which was created in the app," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Could this money be withdrawn?</strong></h2>

<p>Yes, but most times people would receive a server error.</p>

<p>The maximum limit for withdrawal from the application wallet was Rs&nbsp;3000,&nbsp;however, people who purchased and bred these virtual animals said they would very often get error messages on attempting to withdraw money.</p>

<p>However, some people successfully withdrew small amounts of money. This only helped give people false hope.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the word spread, more individuals became interested in investing and many people borrowed money or sold assets to enter the market.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But one day the app just stopped working.</p>

<h2><strong>Who owns ‘Smile Rancher’ and why haven’t app stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store taken any action?</strong></h2>

<p>As per transaction details accessed by Decode, the money people would spend on these virtual animals would go to the account of Sewing SKY India Pvt Limited — an unlisted company which according to the Indian Ministry of Corporate Affairs website deals in fabrics and is registered in Telangana Hyderabad and belongs to Gangadhar Pathri and Ajay Kumar Pathri.</p>

<p>Application stores like Google Play Store or the Apple AppStore have been unable to take any action because the application is not available on these platforms. People downloaded the application via a specific link shared on WhatsApp.</p>

<p>The app is now defunct.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cocaine-price-crash-a-blow-for-colombian-coca-growers-596786">Cocaine price crash a blow for Colombian coca growers</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Who sent them the message?</strong></h2>

<p>As per the villagers, a man called Bhishma Pratap&nbsp;spread these rumours. They say that Pratap claimed that his uncle was the one who won Rs 20,00,000 ($24,190).</p>

<p>For those interested in earning extra money, Pratap created a WhatsApp group named "Ranchers no. 1".&nbsp;As the admin of the group, he started adding more and more villagers, he then sent the forwarded application&nbsp;link to the group, which had more than 60 members. Pratap left the group the same day the application stopped working.</p>

<h2><strong>How did so many people fall for the scam?</strong></h2>

<p>The application called itself a "breeding management investment company from the United States."&nbsp;</p>

<p>It noted that was involved in "offline investment promotion for major breeding pastures and looking for investors who work part-time in the breeding industry".</p>

<p>It further claimed that after 2020, i.e., the pandemic, the company&nbsp;started doing its business online and started seeking people from all over the world to join the breeding industry and "make money together".</p>

<p>For residents of the small Bihar village of Maulanagar, this seemed like a good idea to earn some extra money. Most of the village residents belong to a socially marginalised community called the Musahars.</p>

<h2><strong>Has anyone filed a complaint?</strong></h2>

<p>Kasim Khan, a self-proclaimed victim of the scam, reportedly took action against the fraudulent company by filing a complaint with the Consumer Complaints Court on July 22nd 2022. In his complaint, Khan stated that he had invested Rs 55,000 in&nbsp;the scheme and attempted to withdraw the amount after two days, but was unsuccessful despite multiple attempts. He alleges that the company, Breeding Management, had now ceased operations and had deceived thousands of individuals through their online scam.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Was it just the one Bihar village that got duped?</strong></h2>

<p>Unfortunately no, the app has reportedly spread far from Bihar and has reached Assam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The people of the small Bihar village got duped in February 2022, and in early July last year, a gym trainer in Guwahati Assam also received the link to that game. He and his colleagues invested in the app and lost thousands of rupees.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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An online fraud scheme run via WhatsApp link and a fraudulent app fuelled by a rumours promising substantial profits from buying virtual animals, like pigs, ducks etc.

An online fraud scheme run via WhatsApp link and a fraudulent app fuelled by a rumours promising substantial profits from buying virtual animals, like pigs, ducks etc., has cost hundreds of thousands of rupees to villagers in India's state of Bihar. As reported by Boom Decode, the scheme had lured people to invest in pigs and other livestock online through a game, with the expectation of high returns. Here's all you need to know: How it all started The origins of the online scam can be traced back to a WhatsApp message that circulated in Bihar, claiming that purchasing animals online could yield profits of up to thousands of rupees within a few months. The message propagated the idea that an online game called ‘Smile Rancher’ helped a middle-aged man win big by "investing" in the online purchase of livestock. As per the claims, the man won INR 20 lakh or $2 million. The scheme The report quotes an 18-year-old victim of the scheme, Suraj Kumar who revealed that people had to create an account by entering a six-digit password. Once that was done, they would find pictures of dozens of animals which they could buy. Also read | Bird flu 'fowls' the mood, kills nearly 9,000 marine creatures in Chile, France develops vaccine for ducks After paying for the purchase, all they had to do was log in everyday and click on the animal. This would result in them getting paid a certain amount in the app's wallet. "The most expensive was the peacock, which cost Rs 50,000. It would earn Rs 3,000 a day. Duck was the cheapest one which cost Rs 5,000 rupees, the app claimed to offer Rs 400 for it every day," said Kumar. "One had to log in every day and click on the animal or bird that was bought. The earnings on the animals would come in the wallet of the account which was created in the app," he added. Could this money be withdrawn? Yes, but most times people would receive a server error. The maximum limit for withdrawal from the application wallet was Rs 3000, however, people who purchased and bred these virtual animals said they would very often get error messages on attempting to withdraw money. However, some people successfully withdrew small amounts of money. This only helped give people false hope. As the word spread, more individuals became interested in investing and many people borrowed money or sold assets to enter the market. But one day the app just stopped working. Who owns ‘Smile Rancher’ and why haven’t app stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store taken any action? As per transaction details accessed by Decode, the money people would spend on these virtual animals would go to the account of Sewing SKY India Pvt Limited — an unlisted company which according to the Indian Ministry of Corporate Affairs website deals in fabrics and is registered in Telangana Hyderabad and belongs to Gangadhar Pathri and Ajay Kumar Pathri. Application stores like Google Play Store or the Apple AppStore have been unable to take any action because the application is not available on these platforms. People downloaded the application via a specific link shared on WhatsApp. The app is now defunct. Also read | Cocaine price crash a blow for Colombian coca growers Who sent them the message? As per the villagers, a man called Bhishma Pratap spread these rumours. They say that Pratap claimed that his uncle was the one who won Rs 20,00,000 ($24,190). For those interested in earning extra money, Pratap created a WhatsApp group named "Ranchers no. 1". As the admin of the group, he started adding more and more villagers, he then sent the forwarded application link to the group, which had more than 60 members. Pratap left the group the same day the application stopped working. How did so many people fall for the scam? The application called itself a "breeding management investment company from the United States." It noted that was involved in "offline investment promotion for major breeding pastures and looking for investors who work part-time in the breeding industry". It further claimed that after 2020, i.e., the pandemic, the company started doing its business online and started seeking people from all over the world to join the breeding industry and "make money together". For residents of the small Bihar village of Maulanagar, this seemed like a good idea to earn some extra money. Most of the village residents belong to a socially marginalised community called the Musahars. Has anyone filed a complaint? Kasim Khan, a self-proclaimed victim of the scam, reportedly took action against the fraudulent company by filing a complaint with the Consumer Complaints Court on July 22nd 2022. In his complaint, Khan stated that he had invested Rs 55,000 in the scheme and attempted to withdraw the amount after two days, but was unsuccessful despite multiple attempts. He alleges that the company, Breeding Management, had now ceased operations and had deceived thousands of individuals through their online scam. Was it just the one Bihar village that got duped? Unfortunately no, the app has reportedly spread far from Bihar and has reached Assam. The people of the small Bihar village got duped in February 2022, and in early July last year, a gym trainer in Guwahati Assam also received the link to that game. He and his colleagues invested in the app and lost thousands of rupees. (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.

Explained | ‘Smile Rancher’ makes people cry. All you need to know about the latest online scam

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>As per&nbsp;a TOI report, Delhi Police filed a FIR against the scammers and launched a technical investigation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><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></p>

<p>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;</p>

<h2><strong>More than 500 apps blocked over cyber fraud, spoofing concerns</strong></h2>

<p>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.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;G7 Hiroshima Meet 2023: PM Modi meets Ukraine Prez Zelensky for first time since Russian invasion</strong></p>

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<p>"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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

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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

<p>If you are getting missed calls, messages or calls on WhatsApp from numbers starting with +254, +84, +63 or other international numbers out of the blue, then beware of the most recent scam that is making headlines. The experts, working closely with the Indian government to curb the cybercrime menace, cautioned users of a new Whatsapp cyber fraud and urged people to not respond if they are getting calls from such unknown numbers.</p>

<p>Home Ministry's Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre has issued an alert in order to save users from becoming victims of the scam.</p>

<h2><strong>Experts warn of new cybercrime trend</strong></h2>

<p>The experts in data analysis and forensics told ANI that such international numbers have 'Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia' origin and that unscrupulous elements could steal the financial data of people.</p>

<p>"This is a new cybercrime trend. People across India irrespective of their profession have been receiving calls and missed calls on WhatsApp from +254, +84, +63, +1(218) or other international numbers, and some of them have become victims of cybercrime. It has become more frequent," said an expert in cyber intelligence and digital forensics, on condition of anonymity, while speaking to news agency ANI.</p>

<h2><strong>Multiple users report the scam on Twitter</strong></h2>

<p>Recently, multiple users have taken to Twitter and complained about receiving random calls and messages from unknown international numbers on WhatsApp.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Are you also getting suspicious missed calls on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhatsApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhatsApp</a> from international numbers? Beware, it's a fraud! <a href="https://twitter.com/Cyberdost?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cyberdost</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WhatsApp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhatsApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Meta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Meta</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Apple?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Apple</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhatsApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhatsApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/scam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#scam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whatsappcallscam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#whatsappcallscam</a> <a href="https://t.co/I2BsnuGrQK">pic.twitter.com/I2BsnuGrQK</a></p>
— Vivek Singh (@Bigdreamer_vk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bigdreamer_vk/status/1655607265163104256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Same here..Our data is being sold either from banks or from offices?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Scam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Scam</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhatsAppCallScam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhatsAppCallScam</a> <a href="https://t.co/GJ4fFZuakU">https://t.co/GJ4fFZuakU</a></p>
— Ankit (@_BeingWitty) <a href="https://twitter.com/_BeingWitty/status/1653659313418948608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Cyberabad Police of India's southern state of Telangana also asked WhatsApp users to not respond to such calls. "Many Indian users are receiving international calls on their WhatsApp numbers. We request everyone to remain vigilant and not respond to such calls. Please report and block them immediately, as it is a scam designed to lure people," they tweeted.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Many Indian users are receiving international calls on their WhatsApp numbers. We request everyone to remain vigilant and not respond to such calls. Please report and block them immediately, as it is a scam designed to lure people.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhatsappScam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhatsappScam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StayAlert?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StayAlert</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CyberabadPolice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CyberabadPolice</a> <a href="https://t.co/KqObDh2yKT">https://t.co/KqObDh2yKT</a> <a href="https://t.co/6eitscOESW">pic.twitter.com/6eitscOESW</a></p>
— Cyberabad Police (@cyberabadpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/cyberabadpolice/status/1655800472261873664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>WhatsApp responds to complaints and grievances, issues statement</strong></h2>

<p>"At WhatsApp, the safety of our users is at the core of everything we do and we have devoted efforts to empower users with resources and tools that equip them to safeguard themselves from scams. WhatsApp is an industry leader in preventing abuse, among end-to-end encrypted messaging services and over the years we have made significant product investments and launched user awareness campaigns that empower users to stay safe. Blocking and Reporting suspicious messages/ calls is an important step to effectively combat scams and when users receive calls from unknown international or domestic phone numbers," it said in a statement to the media.</p>

<p>"Additionally, we have consistently invested in Artificial Intelligence and other state-of-the-art technology, data scientists and experts, and in processes, in order to keep our users safe on our platform. Our monthly user safety report that we publish in accordance with the IT Rules 2021, contains details of the user complaints received and the corresponding action taken by WhatsApp, as well as WhatsApp's own preventive actions to combat abuse on our platform. As captured in the latest Monthly Report, WhatsApp banned over 4.7 million accounts in the month of March alone,'' the statement added.</p>

<h2><strong>What should WhatsApp users do?</strong></h2>

<p>Experts suggest that the users, on receiving such random calls and messages, should not respond.&nbsp;Simply ignore or reject them and further 'report and block' those numbers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Users should report and block numbers starting with &nbsp;+254, +84, 63 or other international numbers if there are calls or missed call alerts on WhatsApp," said another cyber intelligence and digital forensics expert as quoted by news agency ANI.</p>

<p>These calls and alerts are made or sent by fraudsters at any given time, according to the experts.</p>

<p>"From early morning between 6 am to 7 am or late in the night, such calls are being received by people from all groups whether he or she is a private employee, businessman, retired government officer or even school and college boy or girl. We need to be just aware of such calls."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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If you are getting missed calls, messages or calls on WhatsApp from numbers starting with +254, +84, +63 or other international numbers out of the blue, then beware of the most recent scam that is making headlines.

If you are getting missed calls, messages or calls on WhatsApp from numbers starting with +254, +84, +63 or other international numbers out of the blue, then beware of the most recent scam that is making headlines. The experts, working closely with the Indian government to curb the cybercrime menace, cautioned users of a new Whatsapp cyber fraud and urged people to not respond if they are getting calls from such unknown numbers. Home Ministry's Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre has issued an alert in order to save users from becoming victims of the scam. Experts warn of new cybercrime trend The experts in data analysis and forensics told ANI that such international numbers have 'Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia' origin and that unscrupulous elements could steal the financial data of people. "This is a new cybercrime trend. People across India irrespective of their profession have been receiving calls and missed calls on WhatsApp from +254, +84, +63, +1(218) or other international numbers, and some of them have become victims of cybercrime. It has become more frequent," said an expert in cyber intelligence and digital forensics, on condition of anonymity, while speaking to news agency ANI. Multiple users report the scam on Twitter Recently, multiple users have taken to Twitter and complained about receiving random calls and messages from unknown international numbers on WhatsApp. Are you also getting suspicious missed calls on #WhatsApp from international numbers? Beware, it's a fraud! @Cyberdost @WhatsApp @Meta @Apple #WhatsApp #scam #whatsappcallscam pic.twitter.com/I2BsnuGrQK — Vivek Singh (@Bigdreamer_vk) May 8, 2023 × Same here..Our data is being sold either from banks or from offices?#Scam#WhatsAppCallScam https://t.co/GJ4fFZuakU — Ankit (@_BeingWitty) May 3, 2023 × Cyberabad Police of India's southern state of Telangana also asked WhatsApp users to not respond to such calls. "Many Indian users are receiving international calls on their WhatsApp numbers. We request everyone to remain vigilant and not respond to such calls. Please report and block them immediately, as it is a scam designed to lure people," they tweeted. Many Indian users are receiving international calls on their WhatsApp numbers. We request everyone to remain vigilant and not respond to such calls. Please report and block them immediately, as it is a scam designed to lure people.#WhatsappScam #StayAlert #CyberabadPolice https://t.co/KqObDh2yKT pic.twitter.com/6eitscOESW — Cyberabad Police (@cyberabadpolice) May 9, 2023 × WhatsApp responds to complaints and grievances, issues statement "At WhatsApp, the safety of our users is at the core of everything we do and we have devoted efforts to empower users with resources and tools that equip them to safeguard themselves from scams. WhatsApp is an industry leader in preventing abuse, among end-to-end encrypted messaging services and over the years we have made significant product investments and launched user awareness campaigns that empower users to stay safe. Blocking and Reporting suspicious messages/ calls is an important step to effectively combat scams and when users receive calls from unknown international or domestic phone numbers," it said in a statement to the media. "Additionally, we have consistently invested in Artificial Intelligence and other state-of-the-art technology, data scientists and experts, and in processes, in order to keep our users safe on our platform. Our monthly user safety report that we publish in accordance with the IT Rules 2021, contains details of the user complaints received and the corresponding action taken by WhatsApp, as well as WhatsApp's own preventive actions to combat abuse on our platform. As captured in the latest Monthly Report, WhatsApp banned over 4.7 million accounts in the month of March alone,'' the statement added. What should WhatsApp users do? Experts suggest that the users, on receiving such random calls and messages, should not respond. Simply ignore or reject them and further 'report and block' those numbers. "Users should report and block numbers starting with +254, +84, 63 or other international numbers if there are calls or missed call alerts on WhatsApp," said another cyber intelligence and digital forensics expert as quoted by news agency ANI. These calls and alerts are made or sent by fraudsters at any given time, according to the experts. "From early morning between 6 am to 7 am or late in the night, such calls are being received by people from all groups whether he or she is a private employee, businessman, retired government officer or even school and college boy or girl. We need to be just aware of such calls." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Beware! Getting random calls on WhatsApp from international numbers? Don't respond

<p>George Santos, a newly elected Republican who has defied calls to resign for fabricating his resume, was detained on federal accusations of fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds on Wednesday. This is the latest blow to Santos.</p>

<p>Santos, 34, is accused of deceiving potential political supporters by laundering money to pay for his personal costs and fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits while he was employed in the 13-count indictment, which was released on Wednesday, reported Reuters.</p>

<p>Additionally, he is charged with lying to the House of Representatives about his possessions, earnings, and debts.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-3">"Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself," Breon Peace, the US&nbsp;Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-4">"He used political contributions to line his pockets, unlawfully applied for unemployment benefits that should have gone to New Yorkers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and lied to the House of Representatives," Peace said.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-4"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-president-biden-to-host-indias-pm-modi-on-june-22-white-house-591050">US President Biden to host India's PM Modi on June 22: White House</a></p>

<p>Requests for comment regarding the indictment were forwarded to Santos' attorney via his congressional office by Reuters, but&nbsp;did not immediately elicit a response from Santos' defence counsel.</p>

<p>Top House Republicans, who currently have a tenuous 222-213 majority in the body, have said they will reserve judgment on Santos. According to Speaker Kevin McCarthy, "In America, you're innocent until proven guilty."</p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify photos and videos shared on social media.</strong></em></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Republican Rep. George Santos says his indictment is a “witch hunt,” he plans to run for reelection, and “life is as bad as it gets,” but he’s fine because he will be “a chairman of a committee in a couple of years.” <a href="https://t.co/BFhGZBVQIe">pic.twitter.com/BFhGZBVQIe</a></p>
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) <a href="https://twitter.com/keithboykin/status/1656380890703081472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>A short time after Santos was chosen to represent an affluent section of Long Island, New York, in 2022, the New York Times and other media sources exposed that he had made up practically all of his personal and professional past.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Trump proven guilty of sexually abusing a writer</strong></p>

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<p>The criminal charges follow a barrage of scandals that have weighed Santos down since before he was sworn into Congress in January. The&nbsp;Republican weeks earlier announced his 2024 reelection campaign, snubbing critics from both parties who urged&nbsp;for his resignation.</p>

<p>Santos faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail&nbsp;for the top charges against him, according to the Justice Department, reported CNBC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Santos, 34, who surrendered Wednesday morning, has been charged with seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives, and&nbsp;pleaded not guilty at a Long Island courthouse to a 13-count federal indictment unsealed by the Justice Department.</p>

<p>He was released on $500,000 bond at an 11-minute hearing and is due in court again June 30. Santos must submit to pretrial services, have random monitoring at his home and surrender his passport, and must&nbsp;get&nbsp;any travel outside New York state and Washington, D.C., approved by the court.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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George Santos, a newly elected Republican who has defied calls to resign for fabricating his resume, was detained on federal accusations of fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds on Wednesday.

George Santos, a newly elected Republican who has defied calls to resign for fabricating his resume, was detained on federal accusations of fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds on Wednesday. This is the latest blow to Santos. Santos, 34, is accused of deceiving potential political supporters by laundering money to pay for his personal costs and fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits while he was employed in the 13-count indictment, which was released on Wednesday, reported Reuters. Additionally, he is charged with lying to the House of Representatives about his possessions, earnings, and debts. "Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself," Breon Peace, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement. "He used political contributions to line his pockets, unlawfully applied for unemployment benefits that should have gone to New Yorkers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and lied to the House of Representatives," Peace said. ALSO READ | US President Biden to host India's PM Modi on June 22: White House Requests for comment regarding the indictment were forwarded to Santos' attorney via his congressional office by Reuters, but did not immediately elicit a response from Santos' defence counsel. Top House Republicans, who currently have a tenuous 222-213 majority in the body, have said they will reserve judgment on Santos. According to Speaker Kevin McCarthy, "In America, you're innocent until proven guilty." Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify photos and videos shared on social media. Republican Rep. George Santos says his indictment is a “witch hunt,” he plans to run for reelection, and “life is as bad as it gets,” but he’s fine because he will be “a chairman of a committee in a couple of years.” pic.twitter.com/BFhGZBVQIe — Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) May 10, 2023 × A short time after Santos was chosen to represent an affluent section of Long Island, New York, in 2022, the New York Times and other media sources exposed that he had made up practically all of his personal and professional past. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Trump proven guilty of sexually abusing a writer The criminal charges follow a barrage of scandals that have weighed Santos down since before he was sworn into Congress in January. The Republican weeks earlier announced his 2024 reelection campaign, snubbing critics from both parties who urged for his resignation. Santos faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail for the top charges against him, according to the Justice Department, reported CNBC. Santos, 34, who surrendered Wednesday morning, has been charged with seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives, and pleaded not guilty at a Long Island courthouse to a 13-count federal indictment unsealed by the Justice Department. He was released on $500,000 bond at an 11-minute hearing and is due in court again June 30. Santos must submit to pretrial services, have random monitoring at his home and surrender his passport, and must get any travel outside New York state and Washington, D.C., approved by the court. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US Rep George Santos arrested on fraud, money laundering charges

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