The World Opinion

Tag: cybercrime

  • How To Spot Digital Arrest Scam And Protect Yourself –Explained | Economy News

    New Delhi: Digital arrests have recently emerged as a common form of digital fraud in India, costing Indians a significant portion of their hard-earned money. However, digital arrest is merely a scam that may be avoided by being aware of the fraudulent techniques used by con artists to digitally arrest victims. 

    During his recent Mann ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned the country about the surge of digital arrest frauds. He said that “there is nothing like digital arrest in our law” and that this is merely fraud. According to PM Modi, digital arrest can be avoided by following the three steps of digital security: stop, think, and act.

    What is a digital arrest?
    In a digital arrest scam, con artists pose as the CBI, police, and occasionally RBI personnel. They first use phone calls to reach their victims before moving on to video calls via Skype and WhatsApp.

    The scammers typically use a police station-style setup after switching to video to trick victims into thinking that officers are making the call. 

    The con artists claim that the target’s detention results from their alleged unlawful activities. 
    A warrant for a digital arrest for the purported offense is threatened to the victims. To revoke the digital arrest warrant, the scammers then demand cash or a penalty. Following payment, the scammers vanish, leaving the victims with a financial loss.

    Thousands of people have fallen victim to such scammers. According to data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP ), this fraud is very common. An Indian Express report using NCRP statistics claims that in the first quarter of 2024, Indians lost up to Rs 120 crore due to digital arrest cases.


    How to spot a digital arrest scam?
    During his recent Mann ki Baat address, Prime Minister Modi issued a warning to the country on the increase in digital arrest frauds. The PM said there is nothing like digital arrest in our law and the gang of criminals doing this are enemies of society.

    Scams using digital arrest are detectable. First off, nobody from the government calls people and threatens them or demands money. PM Modi claims that no government organization calls people to demand money. 

    Second, there’s no reason to be alarmed if you receive such a call. You should realize that the scammers have gathered your personal information and are attempting to intimidate you. 

    Thirdly, scammers frequently fabricate an emergency to force you to act impulsively. By staying on the call all the time, scammers exert pressure on the victim. It may be a case of cybercrime if you believe that the con artists are inciting a sense of urgency. 

    Fourth, you should be on guard if the con artists implicate you in a significant crime while on the phone. Since you haven’t done anything illegal, you can tell right once that this call is fraudulent.


    How to protect yourself from a digital arrest scam?
    The key to avoiding being a victim of digital arrest scams is to remain alert and aware of such fraudulent activities. According to PM Modi, there are three steps to digital security: stop, think, and act.

    * There is nothing like digital arrest in our law.

    * No government agency calls people and threatens them, nor does it demand money over a video call.

    * Don’t panic when you receive a call. Instead, take a screenshot and record a call.

    * Verify the identification of fraudsters posing as law enforcement authorities by getting in touch with the government or law enforcement officials directly through the appropriate route. 

    * The first thing to do if you fall victim to a digital arrest scam is to report your bank and freeze your account right away.

    * Never divulge private information to third parties, including KYC details, bank details like – user ID password, card details, CVV, OTPs or PIN number.

    * Victims should call the national cyber helpline 1930 and report such incidents on cybercrime.gov.in.

  • Naked-Chat Blackmail: 55 Men, 4 Women Fell Prey To Video Chat Scam, Made To Pay Rs 2 Cr As Sextortion; Caution For Indians |

    New Delhi: Around 59 people in Hong Kong, four of whom were women, were deceived into paying over HK$1.9 million (about Rs 2 crore) in just one week after they were forced to go nude during video conversations.

    The South China Morning Post (SCMP) said that the police released the numbers on its Facebook page on Friday, cautioning locals to exercise caution when meeting persons online.

    To trick women on social media, the scammers have also been masquerading as “highly educated, high-income and physically attractive” men. The Hong Kong police claimed that the perpetrators “use sweet talk to learn about the victims’ personal lives and interests to manipulate them.” It was further said, “In the past week, police received 59 cases of naked-chat blackmail, with scammers extorting more than HK$1.9 million. Four cases involved female victims.”

    Additionally, the police disclosed that a 5th of the 1,102 victims of “naked-chat blackmail” were students. The scammers coerced the victims into paying over HK$31 million(about Rs 34 crore). According to SCMP, several of the students were around 11 years old.

    Cases of naked-chat blackmail or sextortion in India Several instances of sextortion or naked chat blackmail have also been documented in India. People were cautioned by the Kerala police earlier this year about honey traps and not to answer video calls from strangers or unknown numbers. In 2022, a Bengaluru man had to pay Rs 5 lakh to fraudsters after he was tricked into becoming nude on a video chat. In 2023, two men were detained in Rajasthan for tricking a person from Vadodara into making a naked WhatsApp chat and demanding Rs 3.33 lakh from him.

    What is Sextortion? Sextortion is a type of cyber abuse in which a cybercriminal uses social media platforms, instant messaging apps, SMS, online dating apps, porn sites, and other channels to entice victims into private video/audio chats where they are forced to pose nude or provide explicit pictures. These materials are eventually used by the fraudsters to blackmail the victims. Both male and female victims may fall prey to these kinds of frauds.

    Tips to protect against online sextortion * Never accept video calls or open attachments from strangers. * Keeping your personal photos, videos, and posts private is advisable. * It is always advisable to decline friendship requests from strangers on social media. * Do not click on intimate, nude, or semi-nude pictures and videos. * Enable privacy and security settings on social media accounts. * File a sextortion complaint with the cybercrime cell.

  • Center Cautions Citizens Not To Fall Prey To Fraudulent Calls Impersonating TRAI |

    The Center on Wednesday cautioned citizens not to fall prey to fraudulent calls impersonating officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). There have been numerous instances where scammers, claiming to be from the telecom regulatory body, threaten people that their numbers will be blocked soon unless they give certain personal information.

    “It has been brought to the notice of TRAI that a lot of pre-recorded calls are being made to citizens claiming to be from the TRAI,” the regulatory body said. The TRAI further clarified that it does not initiate communication with customers regarding mobile number disconnection through messages or otherwise.

    “TRAI has also not authorized any third-party agency to contact customers for such purposes. Therefore, any form of communication (call, message or notice) claiming to be from TRAI and threatening mobile number disconnection should be considered a potential fraudulent attempt and must not be entertained,” it advised.

    The government also encouraged citizens to report suspected fraudulent communications through the Chakshu facility on the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi platform. “For confirmed instances of cybercrime, victims should report the incident at the designated cyber crime helpline number ‘1930’ or through the official website,” said TRAI.

    Moreover, the disconnection of any mobile number due to billing, KYC or misuse if any, is done by the respective telecom service provider (TSP). Citizens are advised to be vigilant and not panic to fall prey to suspected fraudsters. TRAI said they should cross-verify such calls by contacting the authorized call centers or customer service centers of the respective TSP.

    Meanwhile, the regulatory body has directed access service providers to take concrete measures to curb misuse of messaging services, effective from September 1. The telecom authority mandated them to migrate telemarketing calls starting with 140 series to the online distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform, latest by September 30, for better monitoring and control.

  • Himachal Horror: Man Loses Rs 5.34 Lakh To Cyber ​​Thugs In Hamirpur |

    New Delhi: As cyber frauds reach alarming heights, a local resident became the latest victim when scammers posing as cyber police officials threatened him with arrest. They falsely claimed his Aadhaar card was being used in illegal activities, officials reported on Saturday.

    How did the fraud begin?

    Bal Chand Rajput, a resident of Galod in Hamirpur district received a call on July 23 from someone claiming to be a FedEx Courier Service employee, reported PTI. The caller informed him that an illegal parcel bound for Taiwan had been seized by the Customs Department and his Aadhaar card had been used to make the shipping payment of Rs 15,250. Rajput filed his complaint on July 26.

    Fraudsters pose as DCP Crime Branch

    Shortly after, Rajput received another call on WhatsApp from someone claiming to be the DCP Crime Branch. The caller informed him that his Aadhaar card had been used in 18 different accounts linked to underworld and ‘hawala’ businesses, Rajput added in his complaint.

    Rajput Transfers Rs 5.34 Lakh to Scammers

    The caller also told Rajput that CBI and RBI officials would investigate all his accounts and that if any evidence of illegal activities was found, he could face seven to nine years of imprisonment. Fearing arrest, Rajput transferred Rs 5.34 lakh to the account shared by the fraudsters over the phone call, according to his complaint.

    Amount Refunded Within Five Days

    Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamirpur Bhagat Singh said the cyber crime cell acted on Rajput’s complaint and successfully had the amount refunded to his account within five days. “The police immediately froze the accounts in which the money was deposited and further transferred, and in three days presented a copy of the complaint on the cyber portal in the court, following which the court issued an order for the release of the money on August 1,” SP Singh said, as quoted by PTI.

    Ongoing investigations

    “I was duped by being threatened with drugs, ‘hawala,’ and underworld connections, but thanks to the prompt action of the police, I have received my money back,” Rathore said. Further investigations into the matter are ongoing, Singh added.

  • Got Traffic e-Challan Message on WhatsApp? Check How Vietnamese Threat Actors Are Targeting Indian Users |

    Bengaluru: A highly technical Android malware campaign by Vietnamese hackers is targeting Indian users through fake traffic e-challan messages on WhatsApp, according to a report on Wednesday.

    Researchers from CloudSEK, a cybersecurity firm, identified the malware as part of the Wromba family.

    It has infected more than 4,400 devices and led to fraudulent transactions exceeding Rs. 16 lakh by just one scam operator, they said.

    “Vietnamese threat actors are targeting Indian users by sharing malicious mobile apps on the pretext of issuing vehicle challan on WhatsApp,” said Vikas Kundu, Threat Researcher, CloudSEK.

    Scammers are sending fake e-challan messages impersonating the Parivahan Sewa or Karnataka Police and tricking people into installing a malicious app.

    The app steals personal information and also facilitates financial fraud.

    Clicking the link within the WhatsApp message would lead to the download of a malicious APK disguised as a legitimate application.

    Once installed, the malware requested excessive permissions, including access to contacts, phone calls, SMS messages, and the ability to become the default messaging app.

    It then intercepts OTPs and other sensitive messages, which enables attackers to log in to victims’ e-commerce accounts, purchase gift cards, and redeem them without leaving a trace.

    Kundu explained that once the app gets installed, it extracts all the contacts to scam more users.

    Further, all the SMSes will be “forwarded to the threat actors thus allowing them to log in to various e-commerce and financial apps of the victim,” he added.

    Using proxy IPs, the attackers avoid detection and maintain a low transaction profile.

    Using the malware, attackers have accessed 271 unique gift cards, conducting transactions worth Rs 16,31,000, according to the report.

    Gujarat has been identified as the most affected region, followed by Karnataka.

    To protect against such malware threats CloudSEK urged users to stay vigilant and adopt security best practices installing apps only from trusted sources like Google Play Store; limiting app permissions and regularly reviewing them, maintaining updated systems, and enabling alerts for banking and sensitive services.

  • Noida Bank Money Heist: Rs 16.50 Crore Swindled From Nainital Bank; Transferred To 89 Accounts |

    Noida: In a major cyber heist, a branch of Nainital Bank in Noida has reported a server breach resulting in a staggering Rs 16.50 crore being illegally transferred to various accounts by unknown thugs, officials said on Monday. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Vivek Ranjan Rai said the police have launched a probe into the crime which took place over a period of five days in June.

    “The IT manager of the Nainital Bank’s branch in sector 62 submitted a complaint at the Cyber Crime police station here, informing that between June 16 and 20 some unknown persons hacked the servers of the bank,” Rai said. “The perpetrators of the crime used the hacked servers to control the login ID and password of the bank manager. In doing this, Rs 16.50 crore of the bank were transferred into various accounts,” the officer said.

    The investigation in the case so far shows that the funds were transferred into 89 different bank accounts, he said. Rai said a special team has been formed to investigate this case further.

    He added that arrests would be made soon to unveil the cyber heist and to recover the funds.

  • Getting Fake Calls Threatening To Disconnect Your Mobile On Behalf Of DoT/TRAI? Report At These Numbers |

    New Delhi: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued an advisory to citizens not to take fake calls being received by the citizens wherein callers are threatening to disconnect their mobile numbers, or their mobile numbers are being misused in some illegal activities. DoT said that it does not make calls to citizens threatening disconnection.

    The DoT had also issued advisory about WhatsApp calls from foreign origin mobile numbers (like +92-xxxxxxxxxxx) impersonating government officials and duping the people.

    Cyber ​​criminals through such calls try to threaten or steal personal information to carry out cyber-crime/financial frauds.

    Where To Report Fake Calls?

    The DoT/TRAI said it does not authorize anyone to make such calls on its behalf and has advised people to stay vigilant and report such fraud communications at ‘Chakshu – Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ facility of Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov. in/sfc). Such proactive reporting helps DoT in prevention of misuse of telecom resources for cyber-crime, financial frauds, etc.

    The DoT also advises citizens to report at cyber-crime helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in in case of already a victim of cyber-crime or financial fraud.

    Various measures have been taken to combat suspected fraud communications and to curb cybercrime activities. Under CHAKSHU facility, 52 Principal Entities, involved in sending malicious and phishing SMSs to the citizens have been blacklisted. 700 SMS content templates have been deactivated. 348 mobile handsets blacklisted on pan-India basis across all telecom operators.

    10,834 suspected mobile numbers flagged for re-verification to the telecom operators out of which 8272 mobile connections disconnected failing re-verification till 30th April 2024. 1.86 lakh mobile handsets blocked on pan India basis for involvement in cybercrime/financial frauds.

    Advisories have been issued on a regular basis for the public to create awareness on fake notices impersonating DoT/TRAI, suspected fraud communications and malicious calls via press, SMS, and social media, said DoT.

  • NIA footprint in all states by way of 2024

    By way of Specific Information Provider

    FARIDABAD:  In what will have far-reaching penalties, the Nationwide Investigation Company (NIA) will open branches throughout all states by way of 2024 but even so getting “extra-territorial rights”, Union House Minister Amit Shah mentioned right here on Thursday.

    Inaugurating a twoday Chintan Shivir of house ministers on inside safety, Shah mentioned his ministry was once within the technique of amending the Felony Process Code (CrPC) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The drafts will quickly be positioned in Parliament.

    Even though Shah didn’t elaborate at the extra-territorial rights to the NIA, ministry resources mentioned it’ll give the company the ability to research all forms of instances throughout many area spaces inside India. Whilst the NIA, which was once shaped in 2008, at this time has 4 hubs in as many metropolitan towns, the transfer to ascertain branches in all states might be adverse by way of non-BJPruled state governments.

    The growth within the NIA’s powers, Shah mentioned, additionally comes to granting it the authority to confiscate a terrorist’s assets. The remaining time it was once granted enhanced powers was once in 2019 when the NIA Act gave it the ability to research the time table of fences dedicated out of doors India, even though topic to world treaties and home regulations of alternative nations.

    Underneath the Act, the Centre may direct the organisation to research such instances as though the offence has been dedicated in India. But even so, NIA officials have “the entire powers, tasks, privileges and liabilities which cops have in reference to an investigation of offences”. Shah mentioned his ministry intends to set goals for divisions dealing with cybercrime, medication, inside safety and border control for 2047.

    Nixing FCRA Claiming the
    FCRA licence of a few NGOs was once nixed since they had been focused on spiritual conversions, Shah mentioned they had been “elevating budget from international resources with impunity”

    FARIDABAD:  In what will have far-reaching penalties, the Nationwide Investigation Company (NIA) will open branches throughout all states by way of 2024 but even so getting “extra-territorial rights”, Union House Minister Amit Shah mentioned right here on Thursday.

    Inaugurating a twoday Chintan Shivir of house ministers on inside safety, Shah mentioned his ministry was once within the technique of amending the Felony Process Code (CrPC) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The drafts will quickly be positioned in Parliament.

    Even though Shah didn’t elaborate at the extra-territorial rights to the NIA, ministry resources mentioned it’ll give the company the ability to research all forms of instances throughout many area spaces inside India. Whilst the NIA, which was once shaped in 2008, at this time has 4 hubs in as many metropolitan towns, the transfer to ascertain branches in all states might be adverse by way of non-BJPruled state governments.

    The growth within the NIA’s powers, Shah mentioned, additionally comes to granting it the authority to confiscate a terrorist’s assets. The remaining time it was once granted enhanced powers was once in 2019 when the NIA Act gave it the ability to research the time table of fences dedicated out of doors India, even though topic to world treaties and home regulations of alternative nations.

    Underneath the Act, the Centre may direct the organisation to research such instances as though the offence has been dedicated in India. But even so, NIA officials have “the entire powers, tasks, privileges and liabilities which cops have in reference to an investigation of offences”. Shah mentioned his ministry intends to set goals for divisions dealing with cybercrime, medication, inside safety and border control for 2047.

    Nixing FCRA Claiming the
    FCRA licence of a few NGOs was once nixed since they had been focused on spiritual conversions, Shah mentioned they had been “elevating budget from international resources with impunity”

  • Cybercrime: Alert Bihar leader secretary foils bid to withdraw money from his checking account

    Categorical Information Carrier

    PATNA: In a stunning incident, Bihar’s infamous cyber frauds attempted to withdraw a hefty sum from a checking account of the state leader secretary Amir Subhani.

    Police mentioned that Subhani knowledgeable the Financial Offence Unit (EOU) once he were given wind of cyber criminals seeking to withdraw Rs 90,000 from his checking account on Sunday.

    Alternatively, the fraud did not get achieved with the transaction because of the highest bureaucrat’s attentiveness. Subhani controlled to dam the money transaction. The cheat was once nabbed inside of two hours. 

    An FIR has been filed on this connection.

    Cyber crimes in Bihar have posed an enormous problem earlier than law-enforcing businesses as such incidents are going down regardless of `best possible makes an attempt.’

    Cyber crimes are emerging around the nation however Bihar is indexed in conjunction with Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra reporting most such instances. 

    ALSO READ | Cybercrime: CBI arrests 16 in Karnataka

    In step with to be had knowledge, 309 instances of cyber crime have been reported in 2016, 433 in 2017, 374 in 2018, 1050 in 2019 and 1512 in 2020. With an increasing number of other people beginning running and learning from house, they’re spending extra time with virtual equipment, making them extra liable to cyber crimes. It has additionally been spotted that cybercriminals are concentrated on other people dwelling in small towns.

    To tighten the noose round cyber criminals, ADG (EOU) has additionally requested the India heads of Google, Fb and Twitter to offer main points of the alleged criminals indulging in threatening and blackmailing not unusual other people of the state.

    PATNA: In a stunning incident, Bihar’s infamous cyber frauds attempted to withdraw a hefty sum from a checking account of the state leader secretary Amir Subhani.

    Police mentioned that Subhani knowledgeable the Financial Offence Unit (EOU) once he were given wind of cyber criminals seeking to withdraw Rs 90,000 from his checking account on Sunday.

    Alternatively, the fraud did not get achieved with the transaction because of the highest bureaucrat’s attentiveness. Subhani controlled to dam the money transaction. The cheat was once nabbed inside of two hours. 

    An FIR has been filed on this connection.

    Cyber crimes in Bihar have posed an enormous problem earlier than law-enforcing businesses as such incidents are going down regardless of `best possible makes an attempt.’

    Cyber crimes are emerging around the nation however Bihar is indexed in conjunction with Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra reporting most such instances. 

    ALSO READ | Cybercrime: CBI arrests 16 in Karnataka

    In step with to be had knowledge, 309 instances of cyber crime have been reported in 2016, 433 in 2017, 374 in 2018, 1050 in 2019 and 1512 in 2020. With an increasing number of other people beginning running and learning from house, they’re spending extra time with virtual equipment, making them extra liable to cyber crimes. It has additionally been spotted that cybercriminals are concentrated on other people dwelling in small towns.

    To tighten the noose round cyber criminals, ADG (EOU) has additionally requested the India heads of Google, Fb and Twitter to offer main points of the alleged criminals indulging in threatening and blackmailing not unusual other people of the state.

  • Circle of relatives Problems Caution After Youngster Focused In Sextortion Scheme Dies Via Suicide

    The circle of relatives of Ryan Closing, a California youngster who took his personal lifestyles inside of hours of falling sufferer to a web based sextortion scheme, is talking out in hopes of serving to others keep away from what federal government warn is a dangerous and rising web rip-off concentrated on younger other folks.

    “We need to get Ryan’s tale in the market in order that no different circle of relatives has to move thru what we’ve got,” Closing’s mom, Pauline Stuart, stated in a video launched previous this month with California’s San Jose Police Division. “We need to train each folks and youngsters in regards to the dangers in the market, and particularly about sending compromising photos to other folks on the web.”

    Stuart stated Closing, 17, used to be a highschool senior, straight-A pupil and Boy Scout who used to be making plans to wait Washington State College. In February, he used to be contacted on-line by means of any person who claimed to be a lady.

    The individual despatched him a nude photograph and requested Closing to ship considered one of himself in go back. Closing did so, and used to be then advised that if he didn’t pay $5,000, the photograph could be made public and despatched to his friends and family.

    Closing stated he didn’t have that a lot cash to present, so the cybercriminal decreased it to $150, an quantity that Closing paid the use of his faculty financial savings, his mom advised CNN. However the individual wasn’t glad.

    “They stored hard increasingly more and hanging a variety of endured force on him,” she stated.

    That night, Closing stated excellent evening to his folks. Inside hours, he had died by means of suicide. In a be aware to his circle of relatives, he expressed his embarrassment in regards to the catch 22 situation he used to be in, his mom stated.

    “He selected to finish his personal lifestyles fairly than have his photos allotted on social media,” Stuart stated within the video. “He believed his popularity could be destroyed, and he used to be terrified what his family and friends would suppose.”

    Stuart inspired folks to speak to their youngsters “so children know they may be able to come to their folks in the event that they’ve made a mistake.”

    The FBI says it has gained more and more stories of kids being centered on-line in such blackmail schemes. In a public alert launched previous this month, the bureau’s San Francisco Department described how the extortion can spread:

    Sextortion starts when an grownup contacts a minor over any on-line platform used to fulfill and be in contact, equivalent to a sport, app, or social media account. In a scheme that has just lately turn into extra prevalent, the predator (posing as a tender lady) makes use of deception and manipulation to persuade a tender male, typically 14 to 17 years outdated, to interact in specific process over video, which is then secretly recorded by means of the predator.

    The predator then finds that they have got made the recordings and makes an attempt to extort the sufferer for cash to stop them from being posted on-line. Lots of the topics are in another country and can frequently call for cash in expanding quantities if any is shipped throughout the preliminary request.

    “We need to get Ryan’s tale in the market in order that no different circle of relatives has to move thru what we’ve got.”

    – Pauline Stuart, Ryan Closing’s mom

    “To stop endured victimization, it’s crucial youngsters come ahead to any person ― a guardian, instructor, caregiver, or legislation enforcement,” the FBI stated within the public alert. “Youngsters would possibly really feel a way of embarrassment from the sort of aggravating enjoy. Alternatively, sextortion offenders could have masses of sufferers international, so coming ahead to assist legislation enforcement determine, and in the long run apprehend suspects, would possibly save you further incidents of sexual exploitation from going on.”

    The FBI urges sufferers of such crimes to touch their native FBI box place of business, name 1-800-CALL-FBI, or record it on-line at guidelines.fbi.gov.

    “Our brokers see those circumstances so much and feature helped hundreds of younger other folks. Our objectives are to prevent the harassment, arrest the individual at the back of the crime, and let you get the strengthen you want,” the company stated. “When you’re now not feeling in a position to talk to the FBI, move to some other relied on grownup. Say you might be being victimized on-line and wish assist. Speaking about this may really feel not possible, however there are individuals who can assist. You don’t seem to be the only in hassle.”

    When you or any person you understand wishes assist, name 1-800-273-8255 for the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You’ll be able to additionally textual content HOME to 741-741 totally free, 24-hour strengthen from the Disaster Textual content Line. Out of doors of the U.S., please discuss with the Global Affiliation for Suicide Prevention for a database of assets.