Cybersecurity experts are raising alarms over a surge in sophisticated global cyberattacks—and the methods hackers are using to stay hidden are becoming more advanced than ever.

From fileless malware and encrypted traffic to AI-driven attacks and supply chain breaches, hackers are finding new ways to bypass detection systems and remain invisible for longer periods. These tactics are making it harder for governments, companies, and individuals to detect and stop attacks in real time.

Global Cyberattack Alert: How Are Hackers Hiding Attacks? 

Authorities in Nepal have arrested six travel and mountain rescue executives accused of conducting fake rescues on the Himalayan nation's high mountains to scam millions of dollars from international insurance companies, officials said Monday.


Nepal's 'Fake Rescue Scam' From 2018 Surfaces; 6 Arrested From 3 Rescue Agencies

China has executed four leaders of the notorious Bai family gang, notorious for running cross-border telecom scams and drug operations. Authorities launched a sweeping crackdown targeting organized crime networks, drug trafficking, and illegal telecom activities, signaling the government’s zero-tolerance policy. This move comes amid growing concern over cross-border criminal operations affecting China and neighboring countries.


China Executes 4 Bai Family Gang Leaders in Major Crackdown on Scams and Drugs

Bengaluru Police are investigating a major cyber fraud case involving a college dropout and his mother, accused of running an online scam worth ₹3.20 crore.


Cyber crime: How Bengaluru dropout, mother ran ₹3.20 cr cyber scam

This special story should set off alarm bells in every Indian household, especially those with elderly parents and relatives. An elderly non-resident Indian couple has allegedly been defrauded of a staggering 14 crore rupees in Delhi. The cops are calling it a case of offline fraud involving so called digital arrest.


Fake police, fake Supreme Court: How an old couple got scammed out of millions

Chen Zhi, the mastermind of the $15 billion cryptocurrency scam, was arrested in Cambodia and extradited to China. He was accused of operating scam compounds where people were forced to defraud victims globally. He was also charged with money laundering in U.S. last year.


Love, Lies and Bitcoin: $15 Billion Crypto Scam Mastermind Arrested 

Investigations have revealed how scam advertisements were allowed to flourish across Meta’s platforms, even as the company earned billions of dollars in revenue from advertisers linked to fraud and banned content. Much of the activity has been traced to China-based advertising networks that targeted users across the United States, Europe, and other regions.

While Meta says it removes millions of scam ads and invests heavily in enforcement, critics argue the company’s business model prioritizes growth and profit, creating incentives that allow fraud to spread faster than it can be contained. This video examines the findings, Meta’s response, and the growing concerns around digital safety and platform accountability.

Meta Chose Profits Over Safety, Tolerated Scam Ads From China 

On Gravitas Plus with Molly Gambhir: 
The rising menace of online romance and dating app scams. What are the signs to watch out for? How can you protect yourself?

Online romance & dating app scams | How can you protect yourself? 

A Delhi man trapped a scammer using ChatGPT after he tried to dupe him into transferring money, posing as one of his friends. The man posted the incident on Reddit and explained how the AI app helped him capture the man's geolocation and a photograph through a webpage he built quickly using ChatGPT. He posted the scammer's photo on Reddit, with the caption, "Used ChatGPT to locate a scammer and made him beg me". He wrote, "I used ChatGPT to quickly code a geolocation/front-camera capture link, tricked him into clicking it, and scared plus forced him to turn down the operation immediately by sending him his own photo and coordinates." Netizens are impressed with his quick thinking and are asking him to share details of the page he made.&nbsp;It started when he received a message on Facebook from someone impersonating his college senior, an IAS officer. The scammer told him that a CRPF officer friend was selling his expensive furniture as he was being transferred. He grew suspicious since his friend had his direct phone number. He checked with his IAS friend, who confirmed that it was not him messaging him. Now the man came up with an elaborate plan.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/this-pakistani-newspaper-accidently-prints-chatgpt-prompt-internet-explodes-1763033661784">THIS Pakistani newspaper accidently prints ChatGPT prompt, internet explodes</a><h2>Delhi man stalled the scammer, got him to click a link that sent him his photo</h2>He engaged the scammer, making him believe that he had been fooled. The <a href="https://www.wionews.com//india-news/65-year-old-mumbai-woman-duped-of-rs-130-crore-by-cyber-scammers-765646">scammer </a>sent him a QR code to make the payment from a phone number with a profile picture of a man in an army uniform. The Delhi man told him he was facing some technical difficulties. Then he went on ChatGPT and built a simple webpage that could capture the user's GPS location and take a picture using their device's front camera. He hosted the page and sent the link to the scammer, telling him to upload the QR code there for easy payment. The fraudster got lured into doing so, hoping to get the money. He clicked the link, and this instantly gathered his exact GPS coordinates, IP address, and a clear photo of his face.&nbsp;The Delhi man sent the scammer his own photo and location. He got scared and started pleading for forgiveness, promising to stop all fraudulent activities. Redditors are lauding the man for making the scammer pay. One user wrote, "Mad respect. I am going to use this. In fact, make this open source. Host it somewhere so that we can do it too."

<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:500px" data-embed-height="740"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/delhi/comments/1pczeek/used_chatgpt_to_locate_a_scammer_and_made_him_beg/">Used ChatGPT to locate a scammer and made him beg me</a> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/RailfanHS/">u/RailfanHS</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/delhi/">delhi</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>

A scammer got caught in his own trap when a Delhi man got him to click a link, which triggered his photo and location being revealed. The panicked scammer pleaded for forgiveness, but the man told him his details had been shared with the Rajasthan police.

A Delhi man trapped a scammer using ChatGPT after he tried to dupe him into transferring money, posing as one of his friends. The man posted the incident on Reddit and explained how the AI app helped him capture the man's geolocation and a photograph through a webpage he built quickly using ChatGPT. He posted the scammer's photo on Reddit, with the caption, "Used ChatGPT to locate a scammer and made him beg me". He wrote, "I used ChatGPT to quickly code a geolocation/front-camera capture link, tricked him into clicking it, and scared plus forced him to turn down the operation immediately by sending him his own photo and coordinates." Netizens are impressed with his quick thinking and are asking him to share details of the page he made. It started when he received a message on Facebook from someone impersonating his college senior, an IAS officer. The scammer told him that a CRPF officer friend was selling his expensive furniture as he was being transferred. He grew suspicious since his friend had his direct phone number. He checked with his IAS friend, who confirmed that it was not him messaging him. Now the man came up with an elaborate plan. Also Read: THIS Pakistani newspaper accidently prints ChatGPT prompt, internet explodes Delhi man stalled the scammer, got him to click a link that sent him his photo He engaged the scammer, making him believe that he had been fooled. The scammer sent him a QR code to make the payment from a phone number with a profile picture of a man in an army uniform. The Delhi man told him he was facing some technical difficulties. Then he went on ChatGPT and built a simple webpage that could capture the user's GPS location and take a picture using their device's front camera. He hosted the page and sent the link to the scammer, telling him to upload the QR code there for easy payment. The fraudster got lured into doing so, hoping to get the money. He clicked the link, and this instantly gathered his exact GPS coordinates, IP address, and a clear photo of his face. The Delhi man sent the scammer his own photo and location. He got scared and started pleading for forgiveness, promising to stop all fraudulent activities. Redditors are lauding the man for making the scammer pay. One user wrote, "Mad respect. I am going to use this. In fact, make this open source. Host it somewhere so that we can do it too."

A scammer got caught in his own trap when a Delhi man got him to click a link, which triggered his photo and location being revealed. The panicked scammer pleaded for forgiveness, but the man told him his details had been shared with the Rajasthan police.

Scammer gets scammed as man gets him to click a link, triggering his photo and location

Myanmar’s military government has intensified its crackdown on transnational online scam networks operating along the country’s borders. Nearly 10,000 foreign workers tied to these criminal rackets have been deported through Thailand as authorities attempt to dismantle the multibillion-dollar scam industry. Despite the sweeping raids, many syndicates continue to operate with impunity across conflict-ridden regions. Here’s the latest on the crackdown, deportations, and the regional implications of this growing cybercrime network.


Myanmar: Nearly 10,000 Foreign Workers Linked to Online Scams Deported Through Thailand 

A 57-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru was duped of nearly ₹32 crore in a six-month-long "digital arrest" scam.
The fraudsters, who posed as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials, kept her under constant video surveillance and coerced her into making 187 bank transfers.
The ordeal started in September 2024, when the victim received a call from someone claiming to be from DHL.


Bengaluru Digital Arrest Scam: Woman Duped Of Nearly ₹32 Crore 

Cybercriminals are exploiting early excitement for FIFA 2026, with over 4,300 fake domains mimicking FIFA and host cities. Check Point Research warns of phishing, fake ticket sites, botnet abuse, and counterfeit merchandise, urging fans to use only official FIFA channels.


FIFA 2026 World Cup fans targeted by scams

A Japanese octogenarian was scammed out of thousands of dollars by a fake astronaut after she fell in love with him. The two met online when the self-described astronaut sought her help to avert a spaceship crisis, the police said on Tuesday (Sep 2). The victim from the country’s northern Hokkaido island met with the fraudster in July on social media and claimed to be a male astronaut.‘Romance scam’A local police officer described the case as a “romance scam”. After some exchanges following their meeting on social media, the scammer told her that he was “in space on a spaceship right now” but was “under attack and in need of oxygen”. He further urged the woman to pay him online to help him buy oxygen. He managed to swindle around 1 million yen ($6,700) out of her.The woman, who lives alone, started developing feelings for him as they talked online, local media reported, citing investigative sources.The official urged people to remain cautious of online scams, saying, “If a person you met on social media ever demanded cash from you, please be suspicious of the possibility of scam, and report to police.”According to the World Bank, Japan is home to the second-oldest population in the world after Monaco. Older people are more prone to falling prey to different forms of organised fraud. These scams include the “it’s me” scam, in which the scammers pretend to be family members in trouble and ask money from victims to “help” them out of their situation. The police further warned elderly people of being scammed into using ATMs by fraudsters to get non-existent “refunds” of their insurance premiums or pensions.

After some exchanges following their meeting on social media, the scammer told her that he was “in space on a spaceship right now” but was “under attack and in need of oxygen”.

A Japanese octogenarian was scammed out of thousands of dollars by a fake astronaut after she fell in love with him. The two met online when the self-described astronaut sought her help to avert a spaceship crisis, the police said on Tuesday (Sep 2). The victim from the country’s northern Hokkaido island met with the fraudster in July on social media and claimed to be a male astronaut. ‘Romance scam’ A local police officer described the case as a “romance scam”. After some exchanges following their meeting on social media, the scammer told her that he was “in space on a spaceship right now” but was “under attack and in need of oxygen”. He further urged the woman to pay him online to help him buy oxygen. He managed to swindle around 1 million yen ($6,700) out of her. The woman, who lives alone, started developing feelings for him as they talked online, local media reported, citing investigative sources. The official urged people to remain cautious of online scams, saying, “If a person you met on social media ever demanded cash from you, please be suspicious of the possibility of scam, and report to police.” According to the World Bank, Japan is home to the second-oldest population in the world after Monaco. Older people are more prone to falling prey to different forms of organised fraud. These scams include the “it’s me” scam, in which the scammers pretend to be family members in trouble and ask money from victims to “help” them out of their situation. The police further warned elderly people of being scammed into using ATMs by fraudsters to get non-existent “refunds” of their insurance premiums or pensions.

After some exchanges following their meeting on social media, the scammer told her that he was “in space on a spaceship right now” but was “under attack and in need of oxygen”.

Trouble in spaceship? Fake astronaut swindles $6,700 out of elderly Japanese woman

The ‘government has issued a serious warning to taxpayers in India about an ongoing phishing scam that offers upgraded “PAN 2.0” cards. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued an advisory about fraudsters sending emails claiming the launch of a new version of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) card with enhanced features such as QR codes.Emails with subject lines related to “PAN 2.0 Cards” are being sent from suspicious email IDs such as info@smt.plusoasis.com&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 Scam alert !! 📢Have you received an email asking you to click on a link to download your e-PAN Card? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIBFactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIBFactCheck</a> ❌ This email is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fake</a> ❌ Check the sender&#39;s email ID. Never click on any link in suspicious emails and avoid downloading any attachments. ❌ Do not… <a href="https://t.co/0Ty8ujd7rN">pic.twitter.com/0Ty8ujd7rN</a>&mdash; PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1946897036663775434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>What’s the phishing scam?</h2>&nbsp;Emails with subject lines related to “PAN 2.0 Cards” are being sent from suspicious email IDs such as info@smt.plusoasis.com, urging recipients to click on a link to download their so-called “e-PAN”. These messages are designed to appear official but are, in fact, part of a cybercrime campaign aimed at stealing sensitive personal and financial data.&nbsp;<h2>Government confirms the emails are fake</h2>&nbsp;The PIB’s Fact Check team has confirmed that these emails as fraudulent and they do not originate from any government department. In a social media post, the bureau warned, “Do not respond to emails, calls &amp; SMS asking you to share financial &amp; sensitive information and report such phishing emails.”The Income Tax Department has also reiterated that it does not send unsolicited messages asking for bank details, passwords, or personal credentials. Furthermore, PAN and e-PAN services are provided only through authorised government portals, not through email links.&nbsp;<h2>How PAN 2.0 scam works</h2>&nbsp;The user receives an email claiming that a new PAN card version with QR code support is available. The email has a link for downloading the upgraded e-PAN, but clicking it redirects users to a fake government-like website where users are asked to enter sensitive information like PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account numbers. The data is collected by scammers for identity theft or financial fraud.&nbsp;<h2>Stay vigilant, be safe</h2>&nbsp;Users should be vigilant and must always verify the source of any government communication.Official emails usually come from distinct domains like @gov.in or @nic.in.Users are also advised to never click on suspicious links nor share personal data online.&nbsp;<h2>Report phishing email</h2>&nbsp;If a user receives such a phishing email, it should be immediately reported to <a href="mailto:webmanager@incometax.gov.in">webmanager@incometax.gov.in</a> and incident@cert-in.org.in&nbsp;

The email says that a new PAN card version with QR code support is available. It also has a link for downloading the upgraded e-PAN, but clicking it opens a fake government-like website where users are asked to enter sensitive information like PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account numbers. 

The ‘government has issued a serious warning to taxpayers in India about an ongoing phishing scam that offers upgraded “PAN 2.0” cards. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued an advisory about fraudsters sending emails claiming the launch of a new version of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) card with enhanced features such as QR codes. Emails with subject lines related to “PAN 2.0 Cards” are being sent from suspicious email IDs such as info@smt.plusoasis.com

The email says that a new PAN card version with QR code support is available. It also has a link for downloading the upgraded e-PAN, but clicking it opens a fake government-like website where users are asked to enter sensitive information like PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account numbers.&nbsp;

‘PAN 2.0’ scam alert: Indian govt warns taxpayers against phishing emails

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at Quebec in Canada have arrested Gareth West, who is believed to be the main person behind a large scam that targeted old people across the US and Canada.&nbsp;As reported by CBC, according to the police, the US has charged him with planning wire fraud and money laundering. US officials said that he ran a huge operation where senior citizens in 46 US states were tricked into thinking their grandchildren were in trouble and needed money.<h2>Who is Gareth West and how did he run the scam?</h2>Gareth West has been named as the leader of a scam group. Scammers working for Gareth called elderly people pretending to be their grandchildren, saying they had been arrested or injured and needed money urgently for the bail. Then, fake lawyers or agents would speak to them and arrange to collect the money, often using couriers.According to US authorities, Gareth ran the scam from call centres near Montreal. A 2024 US indictment (written paper that officially accuses somebody of a crime) stated that he hired many workers and used fake American phone numbers to fool people.<h2>How much money did he stole?</h2>US authorities believe that the scam has stole more than $30 million from elderly victims. If found guilty in the US, Gareth could face up to 40 years in prison. He is expected to appear before a judge in Quebec on Saturday, where the process of sending him to the US (extradition) may begin, as per the reports.<h2>Warning from the Police for public</h2>Police are warning everyone to stay alert. If you receive a sudden call asking for money because a family member is in trouble then kindly hang up and check with your relatives. If it seems there is trouble, report it to the authorities immediately.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at Quebec in Canada have arrested Gareth West, who is believed to be the main person behind a large scam that targeted old people across the US and Canada.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at Quebec in Canada have arrested Gareth West, who is believed to be the main person behind a large scam that targeted old people across the US and Canada. As reported by CBC, according to the police, the US has charged him with planning wire fraud and money laundering. US officials said that he ran a huge operation where senior citizens in 46 US states were tricked into thinking their grandchildren were in trouble and needed money. Who is Gareth West and how did he run the scam? Gareth West has been named as the leader of a scam group. Scammers working for Gareth called elderly people pretending to be their grandchildren, saying they had been arrested or injured and needed money urgently for the bail. Then, fake lawyers or agents would speak to them and arrange to collect the money, often using couriers. According to US authorities, Gareth ran the scam from call centres near Montreal. A 2024 US indictment (written paper that officially accuses somebody of a crime) stated that he hired many workers and used fake American phone numbers to fool people. How much money did he stole? US authorities believe that the scam has stole more than $30 million from elderly victims. If found guilty in the US, Gareth could face up to 40 years in prison. He is expected to appear before a judge in Quebec on Saturday, where the process of sending him to the US (extradition) may begin, as per the reports. Warning from the Police for public Police are warning everyone to stay alert. If you receive a sudden call asking for money because a family member is in trouble then kindly hang up and check with your relatives. If it seems there is trouble, report it to the authorities immediately.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at Quebec in Canada have arrested Gareth West, who is believed to be the main person behind a large scam that targeted old people across the US and Canada.

Who is Gareth West ? Man behind US-Canada largest 'grandparent scam' - Full case EXPLAINED

Indian authorities have launched a crackdown on a network of importers accused of undervaluing luxury vehicles to evade customs duties, with estimated losses to the exchequer exceeding over 3 million dollars.
The directorate of revenue intelligence uncovered the scam involving more than 30 high-end cars, including models such as the rolls royce.

Luxury Car Smuggling Ring Busted In India

The Pig-Butchering scam is a long-term fraud where scammers build trust—often through fake romances, then lure victims into investing in fake cryptocurrency platforms, ultimately stealing their money. Watch this report to know about this unique type of scam.

Pig-butchering: How cryptocurrency scammers swindle your money online

Cybercrime is rapidly rising all over the world. Learn how victims are falling into traps for bank fraud or online scams. Watch this report to know more about cybercrime and online fraud.

Evolving cybercrime | How scammers purchase websites to steal your money

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a nationwide alert over a sharp rise in online travel scams, especially targeting Char Dham pilgrims. Fraudsters are luring devotees with fake helicopter and hotel bookings. The government urges travelers to stay cautious and report any fraud immediately to help curb this growing threat.

India: MHA sounds nationwide alarm amid rise in online travel frauds

Nine people were sentenced to prison in China along with fines for being involved in a telecommunication fraud scheme targeting Indians. The scammers siphoned Rs 517 million ($6.2 million) from 66,800 victims through fake investment platforms and false identities, reported Global Times.
The romance scam targeting Indians was led by a suspect surnamed He, reported Legal Daily. He rented office space in Heze, East China's Shandong Province, in May 2023, where he established the fraud syndicate, recruited members and acquired overseas servers. He liaised with Indian companies, coordinated fund supervision and diverted capital.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qr-quishing-scam-people-are-falling-to-prey-to-fake-qr-codes-8951183">QR 'quishing' scam: People are falling prey to fake QR codes. What is it?</a>
His accomplices trained and managed the scammers, with experienced fraudsters specifically designing communication strategies and coaching employees. Member surnamed Chen was responsible for maintaining the payment channels for the fraudulent investment platform.
<h2>How did they scam Indians?</h2>
&ldquo;I met an Indian on a chat app and learned about the SENEE investment platform. Through messaging, we enticed Indians with promises of 8 percent to 15 percent monthly returns on 1,000-rupee ($12) investments,&rdquo; confessed He, the Global Times reported, citing the Legal Daily.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-whatsapp-image-scam-heres-how-to-stay-safe-and-aware-from-it-8950690">What is WhatsApp image scam? Here's how to stay safe and aware from it</a>
&ldquo;When deposits surpassed the promised returns, the scam team would shut down the platform or convert debts into equity to freeze funds,&rdquo; said He.&nbsp;
The scammers then used third-party payment platforms to convert investments into USDT cryptocurrency, exchanging it for RMB or USD while taking a 15 per cent commission.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I portrayed myself as a wealthy Indian woman who achieved success through fund investments,&rdquo; a co-conspirator surnamed Li said. &ldquo;I cultivated relationships with Indian men on social media platforms to entice them into investing in SENEE funds.&rdquo;
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-reacts-to-supreme-court-ruling-on-teacher-jobs-scam-i-cant-accept-it-8922781">Mamata Banerjee reacts to Supreme Court ruling on teacher jobs scam: &lsquo;I can&rsquo;t accept it'</a>
The gang also created fake social media profiles portraying successful yet emotionally vulnerable Indian women, where they posted lifestyle, fitness, and travel photos, which they geo-tagged with Indian locations. They engaged targets in relationship-building chats.
To appear credible, they created counterfeit corporate documents like photoshopped trademark registrations, NBFC licenses, and business permits displayed on official-looking websites.
According to the court&rsquo;s findings, 66,800 Indians were defrauded of Rs 517 million between June 1, 2023, and January 13, 2024 &ndash; a span of just over seven months.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/egg-vendor-gets-rs-50-crore-tax-notice-due-to-fraudulent-use-of-pan-aadhar-8902471">Egg vendor gets Rs 50 crore tax notice due to fraudulent use of PAN, Aadhar</a>
<h2>Perpetrators punished by court</h2>
The court said that the nine defendants, who sought illegal profits through false identities and cyber fraud tactics, created a sophisticated criminal syndicate. Based on their roles and hierarchy within the group, the defendants were sentenced to five to 14 years and nine months in prison, along with fines.
Presiding judge Liu Xilei said China has been intensifying its crackdown on online and telecom fraud. The perpetrators are urged to immediately stop criminal activities and voluntarily surrender to authorities for potential leniency.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | India news | Trending | The gang also created fake social media profiles portraying successful yet emotionally vulnerable Indian women, where they posted lifestyle, fitness, and travel photos, which they geo-tagged with Indian locations.

Nine people were sentenced to prison in China along with fines for being involved in a telecommunication fraud scheme targeting Indians. The scammers siphoned Rs 517 million ($6.2 million) from 66,800 victims through fake investment platforms and false identities, reported Global Times. The romance scam targeting Indians was led by a suspect surnamed He, reported Legal Daily. He rented office space in Heze, East China's Shandong Province, in May 2023, where he established the fraud syndicate, recruited members and acquired overseas servers. He liaised with Indian companies, coordinated fund supervision and diverted capital. Also read | QR 'quishing' scam: People are falling prey to fake QR codes. What is it? His accomplices trained and managed the scammers, with experienced fraudsters specifically designing communication strategies and coaching employees. Member surnamed Chen was responsible for maintaining the payment channels for the fraudulent investment platform. How did they scam Indians? “I met an Indian on a chat app and learned about the SENEE investment platform. Through messaging, we enticed Indians with promises of 8 percent to 15 percent monthly returns on 1,000-rupee ($12) investments,” confessed He, the Global Times reported, citing the Legal Daily. Also read | What is WhatsApp image scam? Here's how to stay safe and aware from it “When deposits surpassed the promised returns, the scam team would shut down the platform or convert debts into equity to freeze funds,” said He. The scammers then used third-party payment platforms to convert investments into USDT cryptocurrency, exchanging it for RMB or USD while taking a 15 per cent commission. “I portrayed myself as a wealthy Indian woman who achieved success through fund investments,” a co-conspirator surnamed Li said. “I cultivated relationships with Indian men on social media platforms to entice them into investing in SENEE funds.” Also read | Mamata Banerjee reacts to Supreme Court ruling on teacher jobs scam: ‘I can’t accept it' The gang also created fake social media profiles portraying successful yet emotionally vulnerable Indian women, where they posted lifestyle, fitness, and travel photos, which they geo-tagged with Indian locations. They engaged targets in relationship-building chats. To appear credible, they created counterfeit corporate documents like photoshopped trademark registrations, NBFC licenses, and business permits displayed on official-looking websites. According to the court’s findings, 66,800 Indians were defrauded of Rs 517 million between June 1, 2023, and January 13, 2024 – a span of just over seven months. Also read | Egg vendor gets Rs 50 crore tax notice due to fraudulent use of PAN, Aadhar Perpetrators punished by court The court said that the nine defendants, who sought illegal profits through false identities and cyber fraud tactics, created a sophisticated criminal syndicate. Based on their roles and hierarchy within the group, the defendants were sentenced to five to 14 years and nine months in prison, along with fines. Presiding judge Liu Xilei said China has been intensifying its crackdown on online and telecom fraud. The perpetrators are urged to immediately stop criminal activities and voluntarily surrender to authorities for potential leniency. (With inputs from agencies)

China sentences nine for defrauding 66,800 Indians in $6.2 million telecom scams

Scam calls are on the rise in India, and with that, digital arrests have become common. Recently, one such incident unfolded in Mumbai where an 86-year-old lady was duped of $2.3 million; two arrests have been made. Shayan Shaikh (20) was arrested from Malad, and Raziq Butt (20) was arrested from Mira Road.
The octogenarian was kept under digital arrest for 2 months, where she was checked on by the scammer at an interval of 3 hours. She was under constant watch, where she was tracked through video calls and was further advised not to move out of her home.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/autonews/hino-motors-fined-usd-16-billion-for-us-emissions-fraud-8872365">Hino Motors fined USD 1.6 billion for US emissions fraud</a>
As reported in the Times of India, the scammer who kept a tab on the lady said he was Sandip Rao from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). During these two months, there was a fake online court hearing orchestrated to make everything seem authentic. Along with this, fake Supreme Court orders were sent to her via WhatsApp. It led on to the fake officials asking her to transfer the money to the court, promising a refund once the investigation was complete.
Rao, who identified himself as a CBI officer, told the victim that a bank account activated in her name was used in money laundering. He further highlighted that some transfers were done between her and Jet Airways CEO Naresh Goyal.
On seeing visible changes in her behaviour, her house help informed the octogenarian's daughter. As per the police, she would have loud conversations with someone over the phone and step out of her room only to have her meals.
The fraudsters continued to interrogate her and called it an 'e-investigation' where her bank details were taken for verification. Furthermore, she was prohibited from communicating details of the probe with her relatives.
An FIR was filed on March 4, which detailed a few transfers made by the accused. Nearly $580 was transferred to Shaikh's account, and about $10,400 to Butt, who handed over the money to another accused, ultimately converting it into cryptocurrency.
&nbsp;

Scam calls are on the rise in India, and with that, digital arrests have become common. Recently, one such incident unfolded in Mumbai where an 86-year-old lady was duped of $2.3 million; two arrests have been made. India news

Scam calls are on the rise in India, and with that, digital arrests have become common. Recently, one such incident unfolded in Mumbai where an 86-year-old lady was duped of $2.3 million; two arrests have been made. Shayan Shaikh (20) was arrested from Malad, and Raziq Butt (20) was arrested from Mira Road. The octogenarian was kept under digital arrest for 2 months, where she was checked on by the scammer at an interval of 3 hours. She was under constant watch, where she was tracked through video calls and was further advised not to move out of her home. Also read: Hino Motors fined USD 1.6 billion for US emissions fraud As reported in the Times of India, the scammer who kept a tab on the lady said he was Sandip Rao from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). During these two months, there was a fake online court hearing orchestrated to make everything seem authentic. Along with this, fake Supreme Court orders were sent to her via WhatsApp. It led on to the fake officials asking her to transfer the money to the court, promising a refund once the investigation was complete. Rao, who identified himself as a CBI officer, told the victim that a bank account activated in her name was used in money laundering. He further highlighted that some transfers were done between her and Jet Airways CEO Naresh Goyal. On seeing visible changes in her behaviour, her house help informed the octogenarian's daughter. As per the police, she would have loud conversations with someone over the phone and step out of her room only to have her meals. The fraudsters continued to interrogate her and called it an 'e-investigation' where her bank details were taken for verification. Furthermore, she was prohibited from communicating details of the probe with her relatives. An FIR was filed on March 4, which detailed a few transfers made by the accused. Nearly $580 was transferred to Shaikh's account, and about $10,400 to Butt, who handed over the money to another accused, ultimately converting it into cryptocurrency.

86-year-old woman kept under digital arrest for 2 months, robbed of $2.3 million

Are you tired of receiving spam calls and messages? Do you have the DND (Do Not Disturb) feature turned on but still aren't sure if it's effective enough? Well, it looks like things are about to change. The Indian Telecom regulator is cracking down hard on spammers with new, stricter rules to tackle this issue more effectively.

India: TRAI Imposes Stricter Rules to Combat Spam Calls and Text Messages

Nigerian scammers are behind the Brad Pitt AI scam in which a French woman lost her life savings thinking she was helping the Hollywood actor. She is now out to seek legal compensation and nab these Nigerians who defrauded her.&nbsp;
The scammers tricked the victim, identified as 53-year-old Anne by French broadcaster TF1, into believing she was in a romantic relationship with the 61-year-old Hollywood star by using AI-generated photos.
The case illustrates how Nigerian scammers, already known for a variety of internet schemes including "romance" scams, are pivoting towards new technologies to swindle victims.&nbsp;
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/angelina-jolie-brad-pitt-are-divorced-after-8-years-of-legal-tussle-8579667" aria-label="Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt are finally divorced after 8 years of legal tussle">Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt are finally divorced after 8 years of legal tussle</a></h2>
Anne told TF1 she was first targeted on Instagram by someone posing as Pitt&rsquo;s mother after she shared pictures of herself skiing in the resort of Tignes.&nbsp;
The scammers claimed that the actor urgently needed money to pay for kidney treatment, alleging that his bank accounts had been frozen due to ongoing divorce proceedings with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie.&nbsp;
Anne's lawyer Laurene Hanna said her client lost 830,000 euros ($850,000) to the scammers.
Anne has been in touch with Marwan Ouarab, the founder of the FindmyScammer.com website, in a bid to find the fraudsters, the attorney said on X.
According to French daily Le Parisien, which quoted Ouarab, the scammers -- three men in their 20s -- are located in Nigeria.
Nigeria&rsquo;s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) anti-graft agency said it can only investigate the claim if a petition is submitted.&nbsp;
"It is a petition that authorises the EFCC to act," spokesman Dele Oyewale told AFP.
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/brad-pitt-dupes-french-woman-of-over-800000-using-ai-photos-8621833" aria-label="'Brad Pitt' dupes French woman of over $800,000 using AI photos">'Brad Pitt' dupes French woman of over $800,000 using AI photos</a></h2>
<h2>&lsquo;Yahoo Boys&rsquo;</h2>
Africa's most populous country is saddled with a reputation for internet fraudsters known in local slang as "Yahoo Boys".
The influence of internet fraudsters in popular culture has risen steadily since Afrobeats star Olu Maintain in 2007 released &lsquo;Yahooze,&rsquo; a song eulogising fraudsters.
Several Nigerian songs referencing cyberfraudsters -- also known locally as "419" in a reference to Nigeria's criminal code for fraud -- enjoyed mainstream success.&nbsp;
Nigerian authorities, in 2019 and in a case due to resume in March, briefly arrested a popular local musician known as Naira Marley on conspiracy and credit card fraud charges.
Another musician, Shallipopi -- real name Crown Uzama -- and his manager were arrested in May 2023 for "internet-related fraud," EFCC said.
In November 2022, a US court sentenced Ramon Abbas, a Nigerian fraudster once popular with politicians and celebrities, to a 135-month jail term and was ordered to pay $1,732,841 in restitution to two victims.&nbsp;
US authorities said Abbas "conspired to launder tens of millions of dollars through a series of online scams".
The use of AI is a new twist to an old crime, one expert told AFP.
Romance scams, sextortion and the once popular emails from a "Nigerian prince" have been used to swindle victims in the past. &nbsp;
The "use of AI and deepfake" will "erase the huge gains made already and set us back over 20 years," cybercrime expert Timothy Avele told AFP.
Last July, Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta deleted 63,000 Instagram accounts linked to sextortion scams from the West African country and blamed "Yahoo Boys" for the scam accounts.
Sextortion cases often involve young male or teen victims being persuaded to send compromising photos to fraudsters posing as young women. They are then blackmailed.
"We&rsquo;ve banned Yahoo Boys under Meta&rsquo;s Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy &mdash;- one of our strictest policies -&mdash; which means we remove Yahoo Boys&rsquo; accounts engaged in this criminal activity whenever we become aware of them," Meta stated in July.
Weeks after the Meta clampdown, two Nigerian brothers, Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, were jailed to 210 months in prison each after they "sexually exploited and extorted more than 100 victims," including 11 minors.&nbsp;
<h2>&lsquo;Foreign syndicates&rsquo;</h2>
Foreign "cybercrime syndicates" are also exploiting Nigeria&rsquo;s weakness in cybersecurity systems, and find it a "profitable place to set up their operations centres," Avele said.
EFCC's Oyewale said the agency is ready to "tackle every emerging crime, including AI-enabled crimes." &nbsp;
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jeremy-renner-swears-by-oxygen-therapy-shares-selfie-from-hyperbaric-chamber-8640010" aria-label="Jeremy Renner swears by oxygen therapy, shares selfie from Hyperbaric Chamber">Jeremy Renner swears by oxygen therapy, shares selfie from Hyperbaric Chamber</a></h2>
Last month, EFCC said it had arrested 792 suspects in a single operation in the affluent Victoria Island area of Nigeria's commercial hub of Lagos.&nbsp;
At least 192 of the suspects were foreign nationals, 148 of them Chinese, the agency said.&nbsp;
EFCC spokesman Oyewale said in a statement the foreign gangs recruited Nigerian accomplices to find victims online through phishing, targeting mostly Americans, Canadians, Mexicans and others in European countries.&nbsp;
The anti-graft agency has busted several hideouts where young criminals learn their trade and also arrested 25 people at a "cybercrime training centre" in southern Edo state on January 16.

Entertainment The case illustrates how Nigerian scammers, already known for a variety of internet schemes including "romance" scams, are pivoting towards new technologies.

Nigerian scammers are behind the Brad Pitt AI scam in which a French woman lost her life savings thinking she was helping the Hollywood actor. She is now out to seek legal compensation and nab these Nigerians who defrauded her. The scammers tricked the victim, identified as 53-year-old Anne by French broadcaster TF1, into believing she was in a romantic relationship with the 61-year-old Hollywood star by using AI-generated photos. The case illustrates how Nigerian scammers, already known for a variety of internet schemes including "romance" scams, are pivoting towards new technologies to swindle victims. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt are finally divorced after 8 years of legal tussle Anne told TF1 she was first targeted on Instagram by someone posing as Pitt’s mother after she shared pictures of herself skiing in the resort of Tignes. The scammers claimed that the actor urgently needed money to pay for kidney treatment, alleging that his bank accounts had been frozen due to ongoing divorce proceedings with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie. Anne's lawyer Laurene Hanna said her client lost 830,000 euros ($850,000) to the scammers. Anne has been in touch with Marwan Ouarab, the founder of the FindmyScammer.com website, in a bid to find the fraudsters, the attorney said on X. According to French daily Le Parisien, which quoted Ouarab, the scammers -- three men in their 20s -- are located in Nigeria. Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) anti-graft agency said it can only investigate the claim if a petition is submitted. "It is a petition that authorises the EFCC to act," spokesman Dele Oyewale told AFP. 'Brad Pitt' dupes French woman of over $800,000 using AI photos ‘Yahoo Boys’ Africa's most populous country is saddled with a reputation for internet fraudsters known in local slang as "Yahoo Boys". The influence of internet fraudsters in popular culture has risen steadily since Afrobeats star Olu Maintain in 2007 released ‘Yahooze,’ a song eulogising fraudsters. Several Nigerian songs referencing cyberfraudsters -- also known locally as "419" in a reference to Nigeria's criminal code for fraud -- enjoyed mainstream success. Nigerian authorities, in 2019 and in a case due to resume in March, briefly arrested a popular local musician known as Naira Marley on conspiracy and credit card fraud charges. Another musician, Shallipopi -- real name Crown Uzama -- and his manager were arrested in May 2023 for "internet-related fraud," EFCC said. In November 2022, a US court sentenced Ramon Abbas, a Nigerian fraudster once popular with politicians and celebrities, to a 135-month jail term and was ordered to pay $1,732,841 in restitution to two victims. US authorities said Abbas "conspired to launder tens of millions of dollars through a series of online scams". The use of AI is a new twist to an old crime, one expert told AFP. Romance scams, sextortion and the once popular emails from a "Nigerian prince" have been used to swindle victims in the past. The "use of AI and deepfake" will "erase the huge gains made already and set us back over 20 years," cybercrime expert Timothy Avele told AFP. Last July, Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta deleted 63,000 Instagram accounts linked to sextortion scams from the West African country and blamed "Yahoo Boys" for the scam accounts. Sextortion cases often involve young male or teen victims being persuaded to send compromising photos to fraudsters posing as young women. They are then blackmailed. "We’ve banned Yahoo Boys under Meta’s Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy —- one of our strictest policies -— which means we remove Yahoo Boys’ accounts engaged in this criminal activity whenever we become aware of them," Meta stated in July. Weeks after the Meta clampdown, two Nigerian brothers, Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, were jailed to 210 months in prison each after they "sexually exploited and extorted more than 100 victims," including 11 minors. ‘Foreign syndicates’ Foreign "cybercrime syndicates" are also exploiting Nigeria’s weakness in cybersecurity systems, and find it a "profitable place to set up their operations centres," Avele said. EFCC's Oyewale said the agency is ready to "tackle every emerging crime, including AI-enabled crimes." Jeremy Renner swears by oxygen therapy, shares selfie from Hyperbaric Chamber Last month, EFCC said it had arrested 792 suspects in a single operation in the affluent Victoria Island area of Nigeria's commercial hub of Lagos. At least 192 of the suspects were foreign nationals, 148 of them Chinese, the agency said. EFCC spokesman Oyewale said in a statement the foreign gangs recruited Nigerian accomplices to find victims online through phishing, targeting mostly Americans, Canadians, Mexicans and others in European countries. The anti-graft agency has busted several hideouts where young criminals learn their trade and also arrested 25 people at a "cybercrime training centre" in southern Edo state on January 16.

Brad Pitt AI scam: Nigerian scammers accused of duping women posing as Hollywood actor

A 53-year-old South African attorney, Prelyn Mohanlall, who was banned from practicing law, was arrested on Tuesday (Jan 7) for scamming 17 couples. She took large sums of money from them for the same wedding venue she had no connection with. She was tracked by a private security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), through their Facebook page. Her lawyer, Chris Gounden, reached out to RUSA asking to pay back the victims who can show evidence of payments.&nbsp;
Prelyn&rsquo;s scam began when she convinced couples to pay large sums in advance for wedding venue bookings, only for them to discover that the venues were nonexistent or unsuitable. On their wedding day, the couples arrived to find empty locations with no electricity or water, unaware that their special day had turned into a nightmare.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnamese-billionaire-sentenced-to-death-in-in-12-billion-fraud-case-710131" rel="dofollow">Female billionaire sentenced to death for multi-billion dollar fraud in Vietnam</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Timeline of events: How RUSA tracked the fraudster</h2>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
December 2023: The first case of Mohanlall&rsquo;s scam was reported when a couple hired Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) to track her down.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
January 2024: RUSA&rsquo;s investigation revealed that Mohanlall had scammed 17 couples from various provinces, defrauding them of their hard-earned money.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
January 2024: After a detailed investigation, RUSA tracked Mohanlall and arrested her on Tuesday.
</li>
</ul>
One of the victims sharing how the ordeal affected their wedding said, "What she 'stole' from us drastically impacted our planning". He explained that he and his fianc&eacute;e had to cancel their wedding and start saving again, turning their dream event into a nightmare.
<blockquote cite="https://graph.facebook.com/100064313064388/posts/1024553653031727/" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore publive-iframes-block publive-Facebook-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m5ozaxn8-dtxjzje2-pg00eey0">
Wedding Venue Scammer Arrested For Fraud: Boksburg - Gauteng A 53 year old woman who scammed seventeen (17) couples...
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReactionUnitSouthAfrica">Reaction Unit South Africa</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://graph.facebook.com/100064313064388/posts/1024553653031727/">Tuesday, January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">Past criminal history</h2>
The investigations unveiled that Preylnn was involved in other frauds as well and had a criminal history of more than two decades, including being disbarred as a criminal attorney by the Law Society for stealing from a client&rsquo;s trust fund account. The Boksburg North police reported that she was being sought for a defrauding case of a car dealership of 200,000 South African Rand (R 2,00,000, Rs 9,07,730) and another couple of 26,000 South African Rand (R 26,000, Rs 1,18,004).&nbsp; 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/convicted-killer-alex-murdaugh-receives-40-year-sentence-and-9mn-restitution-for-financial-fraud-706704" rel="dofollow">Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh receives 40-year sentence and $9 million restitution for financial fraud</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Mohanlall&rsquo;s defence: Financial struggles amid debt</h2>
In an interview, Preyln said that her business struggled financially, particularly after her partners left and many weddings were cancelled. "It's not a scam, and I am not a scammer. My company went through so much," she said, accepting that she owed nine couples around 60,000 South African Rand (Rs 2,72,319) and promising to pay them back.&nbsp;
While efforts are underway to compensate the victims, Mohanlall's court date will determine whether her promises to repay the defrauded couples will have an impact on her sentencing.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: What she 'stole' from us drastically impacted our planning," said the victim. Victim explained that he and his fiancée had to cancel their wedding and start saving again. 

A 53-year-old South African attorney, Prelyn Mohanlall, who was banned from practicing law, was arrested on Tuesday (Jan 7) for scamming 17 couples. She took large sums of money from them for the same wedding venue she had no connection with. She was tracked by a private security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), through their Facebook page. Her lawyer, Chris Gounden, reached out to RUSA asking to pay back the victims who can show evidence of payments. Prelyn’s scam began when she convinced couples to pay large sums in advance for wedding venue bookings, only for them to discover that the venues were nonexistent or unsuitable. On their wedding day, the couples arrived to find empty locations with no electricity or water, unaware that their special day had turned into a nightmare. Also read: Female billionaire sentenced to death for multi-billion dollar fraud in Vietnam Timeline of events: How RUSA tracked the fraudster December 2023: The first case of Mohanlall’s scam was reported when a couple hired Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) to track her down. January 2024: RUSA’s investigation revealed that Mohanlall had scammed 17 couples from various provinces, defrauding them of their hard-earned money. January 2024: After a detailed investigation, RUSA tracked Mohanlall and arrested her on Tuesday. One of the victims sharing how the ordeal affected their wedding said, "What she 'stole' from us drastically impacted our planning". He explained that he and his fiancée had to cancel their wedding and start saving again, turning their dream event into a nightmare. Wedding Venue Scammer Arrested For Fraud: Boksburg - Gauteng A 53 year old woman who scammed seventeen (17) couples... Posted by Reaction Unit South Africa on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Past criminal history The investigations unveiled that Preylnn was involved in other frauds as well and had a criminal history of more than two decades, including being disbarred as a criminal attorney by the Law Society for stealing from a client’s trust fund account. The Boksburg North police reported that she was being sought for a defrauding case of a car dealership of 200,000 South African Rand (R 2,00,000, Rs 9,07,730) and another couple of 26,000 South African Rand (R 26,000, Rs 1,18,004). Also Read: Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh receives 40-year sentence and $9 million restitution for financial fraud Mohanlall’s defence: Financial struggles amid debt In an interview, Preyln said that her business struggled financially, particularly after her partners left and many weddings were cancelled. "It's not a scam, and I am not a scammer. My company went through so much," she said, accepting that she owed nine couples around 60,000 South African Rand (Rs 2,72,319) and promising to pay them back. While efforts are underway to compensate the victims, Mohanlall's court date will determine whether her promises to repay the defrauded couples will have an impact on her sentencing. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian origin woman arrested for scamming couples in South Africa. Here's what she did

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