Important global cybercrime news has been curated by Futurecrime Researchers to keep you informed about various types of digital fraud occurring worldwide and to provide insights into the best mitigation strategies. Read below to learn more in detail.

1. Amit Shah Highlights Cybercrime’s Role in National Security
Cybersecurity is now a critical aspect of national security, says Home Minister Amit Shah. He emphasized the need for a national-level coordination system, inaugurated cyber platforms, and highlighted the government’s goal of training 5,000 cyber commandos over five years.

2. Hyderabad Cybercrime Unit Recovers Rs 1.09 Crore for Fraud Victims
The Hyderabad Cybercrime Police refunded Rs 1.09 crore to two victims of online investment scams. They recovered Rs 80 lakh in one case and Rs 29 lakh in another by coordinating with banks and freezing fraudulent accounts.

3. Retired Air Force Officer Scammed Out of Rs 3.64 Lakh in Pune Over Fake Gas Bill
An 80-year-old IAF veteran in Pune lost Rs 3.64 lakh to cybercriminals posing as gas company officers. The scam involved a fake bill payment request. Pune police registered the case after the victim’s nephew filed an FIR.

4. Over 10 Million Cyber Threats Detected in India from April to June 2024: KSN Report
Between April and June 2024, India saw over 10 million internet-based cyberattacks. Around 20% of users were affected by web-borne threats, with file-less malware being the most dangerous. Kaspersky’s products helped block millions of these threats.

5. West Bengal Police Files Cyber Complaint Over Tweets Aimed at CJI Chandrachud’s Wife
West Bengal police filed a cyber complaint over social media posts alleging a relationship between CJI DY Chandrachud’s wife and Mamata Banerjee’s personal doctor. The timing coincides with a suo motu case regarding a doctor’s rape and murder, where the CJI passed strict orders on media conduct.

INTERNATIONAL

6. Russia Accused of Launching Cyber Attacks on EU and NATO
A notorious Russian military unit, Unit 29155, has expanded into cyber operations, targeting Ukraine’s allies globally. Western intelligence agencies revealed attacks aimed at disrupting aid to Kyiv, targeting critical infrastructure across EU, NATO states, and beyond.

7. Microsoft Patches Four Zero-day Exploits and 79 Vulnerabilities in Latest Security Update
Microsoft’s September 2024 Patch Tuesday fixed 79 vulnerabilities, including four zero-days. Key exploits include remote code execution in Windows Update and privilege escalation in Windows Installer, highlighting the critical need for immediate updates.

8. Chinese Hackers Exploit Open-Source Tools Like Nmap for Cyber Attacks
Chinese state-sponsored hackers, such as APT41 and APT40, are leveraging open-source tools like Nmap for cyberattacks. They target sectors like telecommunications, government, and IT providers, using network scanning utilities for reconnaissance and data theft.

9. Poland Dismantles Cyber-Sabotage Group Linked to Russia and Belarus
Poland dismantled a cyber sabotage group linked to Belarus and Russia which targeted military and security data. The group was behind a major attack on Poland’s anti-doping agency and aimed to paralyze the country politically and economically.

10. CosmicBeetle Teams Up with RansomHub to Deploy Custom ScRansom Ransomware
CosmicBeetle has launched a new ransomware, ScRansom, targeting SMBs globally. Previously associated with Scarab ransomware, the group is exploiting known security flaws to infiltrate diverse sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and finance.