Visionary Vigilance: Cybersecurity Digest – Ep. 16
Recent cyber frauds, law enforcement actions, and emerging digital threats. Key highlights include the Jharkhand Police’s arrest of six cybercriminals for creating and selling malicious KYC apps, leading to ₹11 crore in fraud; a 70-year-old cancer patient in Uttar Pradesh losing ₹41.68 lakh to a ‘digital arrest’ scam; and the Pune Cyber Crime Branch’s investigation into a 78-year-old woman defrauded of ₹4.37 crore by scammers posing as CBI officials. Additionally, the digest covers the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Unit’s efforts to track fraudsters who duped a retired teacher of ₹5.5 lakh in a loan scam, and the Kangra Police’s launch of a cybercrime awareness campaign. These incidents underscore the escalating complexity of cyber threats and the critical need for heightened vigilance and proactive cybersecurity measures.
CYBERSECURITYCYBERCRIMECYBER UPDATES
Shivam Dharpure
2/13/20257 min read
Visionary Vigilance: Cybersecurity Weekly Digest – Episode 16
Welcome to Episode 16 of Visionary Vigilance, where we cover major cyber frauds, law enforcement crackdowns, and global cybersecurity threats. From India’s rising cyber scams to international cyber warfare, this edition highlights critical incidents that demand urgent attention. 🌐🔐
🔴 National Cybersecurity Updates & Crime Crackdowns
1. Jharkhand Police Arrest Cybercriminals for Creating and Selling Malicious Apps 📲💰
The Jharkhand Police arrested six cybercriminals responsible for creating and selling malicious apps disguised as KYC update tools. The gang scammed over 2,800 victims, siphoning off ₹11 crore using fake government schemes.
🛑 Modus Operandi:
✔️ Cybercriminals posed as bank representatives and government officials.
✔️ Victims were tricked into downloading fake KYC apps.
✔️ Once installed, hackers stole banking credentials, OTPs, and personal data.
Authorities identified Mahboob Alam, alias “DK Boss”, a self-taught coder, as the mastermind. Each app was sold for ₹25,000-₹30,000, fueling an underground cybercrime market. Law enforcement urges citizens to verify all KYC requests through official bank websites.
2. Elderly Cancer Patient in Uttar Pradesh Loses ₹41 Lakh to ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam 📞💀
A 70-year-old cancer patient from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, fell victim to a digital arrest scam, losing ₹41.68 lakh. Cybercriminals posed as CBI and RBI officials, falsely accusing him of involvement in hawala transactions.
📌 Scam Breakdown:
✔️ Victim received a call claiming his bank account was linked to money laundering.
✔️ Fake officials threatened immediate arrest unless he complied.
✔️ Under pressure, he transferred his life savings to scam accounts.
Authorities registered a case and launched an investigation into the fraud ring. Experts advise the elderly to never share personal banking details over calls and consult family members before making transactions.
3. Pune Senior Citizen Loses ₹4.37 Crore in Digital Arrest Scam 🚨💸
In one of Pune’s largest cyber fraud cases, a 78-year-old woman lost ₹4.37 crore after being tricked by fraudsters impersonating CBI officials.
🔍 How the Scam Unfolded:
✔️ Scammers posed as law enforcement officers investigating drug trafficking.
✔️ Victim was told that her Aadhaar credentials were misused.
✔️ Over a month-long psychological manipulation, she was coerced into transferring money for “legal procedures.”
The case is under active investigation by Pune’s Cyber Crime Branch. The police urge citizens to report such frauds immediately and verify law enforcement calls before acting.
4. Cybercriminals Dupe Retired Teacher in Hyderabad of ₹5.5 Lakh in Loan Scam 💰📞
A 57-year-old retired school teacher in Hyderabad was tricked into paying ₹5.5 lakh to fraudsters promising a low-interest loan.
⚠️ Scam Method:
✔️ Fraudsters offered a ₹15 lakh loan but demanded “processing fees.”
✔️ Victim made multiple payments, believing she was securing the loan.
✔️ After repeated demands, she realized she had been scammed and reported the case.
Hyderabad Cyber Police are tracking the fraudsters and warn against sharing banking details over phone calls.
5. Kangra Police Launches Cybercrime Awareness Campaign 🎓🚔
To combat rising online fraud, Kangra Police have launched an educational drive across schools and senior citizen groups.
✔️ Workshops on identifying phishing scams, OTP frauds, and deepfake calls.
✔️ Encouraging people to report cyber frauds immediately via the National Cybercrime Portal.
6. India Faces Over 3,291 Cyber Attacks Per Week, Report Finds 📊⚠️
A report by Check Point Software reveals India faces 3,291 cyberattacks weekly, surpassing the global average of 1,847.
🛑 Key Findings:
✔️ Healthcare & government sectors most targeted.
✔️ AI-driven phishing and ransomware attacks rising.
✔️ 500GB of biometric data breached in 2024, exposing election vulnerabilities.
Experts recommend stronger cybersecurity laws and regular software updates.
7. ₹2,000 Crore Cyber Fraud Syndicate Busted in Rajasthan 🚔💳
Rajasthan Police arrested Ajay Arya, the mastermind behind a ₹2,000 crore scam that tricked thousands into investing in fake trading platforms.
✔️ Police seized ₹10 lakh cash, luxury cars, 3 CPUs, and 6 mobile phones.
✔️ The scam used fake forex trading schemes to lure victims.
Authorities urge the public to verify investment platforms before depositing funds.
8. Hyderabad Police Bust ₹93 Lakh Trading Fraud, Three Arrested 💰🔍
The Cyber Crime Unit of Hyderabad Police dismantled a ₹93 lakh online trading fraud and arrested three individuals, including two private bank employees and a businessman.
📌 How the Fraud Worked:
✔️ Fraudsters added victims to fake stock investment groups on social media.
✔️ Initially, victims saw small profits, encouraging larger investments.
✔️ Scammers used fake trading platforms and mule accounts to launder money.
Authorities tracked ₹23 crore worth of fraudulent transactions. The public is urged to verify investment platforms before depositing funds.
9. Gujarat Cybercrime Cell Arrests Five in Mumbai for Running Fake Call Center 📞🚔
A fake call center in Mumbai, targeting investors with fraudulent stock tips, was busted by Gujarat Cybercrime Cell.
📌 Scam Details:
✔️ Victims received calls from “investment brokers” promising high returns.
✔️ Initial small deposits were followed by larger investments.
✔️ Once large sums were transferred, scammers disappeared.
🔍 Five accused were arrested, and 13 mobile phones, debit cards, and fake IDs were seized.
10. Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Bust Inter-State Cyber Fraud Racket 🌎💻
A cyber fraud network spanning multiple states was dismantled by Pimpri-Chinchwad Police.
📌 Key Findings:
✔️ Mule accounts were created and sold to cybercriminals.
✔️ Suspects were in direct contact with Cambodia-based fraud masterminds.
✔️ Scam involved fake job offers, forex trading, and phishing schemes.
11. Cybercriminals Create Fake ‘Cyber Fraud Complaint’ Website to Scam Victims 🚨💻
Scammers created a fake cybercrime complaint portal, deceiving victims into paying “service fees” for filing reports.
📌 How They Operated:
✔️ Fake website mimicked the National Cybercrime Portal.
✔️ Victims paid a processing fee before realizing it was a scam.
✔️ Police have launched an investigation and warn users to report crimes only through official government websites.
12. Civil Contractor in Jalgaon Loses ₹78.90 Lakh in Online Card Game Scam 🎰💰
A 27-year-old contractor lost ₹78.90 lakh in an online card game scam after being lured by fake winnings.
📌 How He Was Tricked:
✔️ Scammers sent a WhatsApp link to join an online game.
✔️ Victim initially won small sums before being convinced to invest more.
✔️ After transferring ₹78.90 lakh, he was blocked from the platform.
13. Cyber Fraudster Poses as IPS Officer, Tries to Scam Kerala HC Lawyer 🎭⚖️
A cybercriminal impersonated IPS officer Yathish Chandra on Facebook, attempting to scam a Kerala High Court lawyer.
📌 Scam Details:
✔️ Sent friend request to victim, claiming to be an IPS officer.
✔️ Requested financial transactions under the pretext of “urgent needs.”
✔️ Victim verified the officer’s identity and reported the fraud.
14. Hyderabad Police Nab 52 Cyber Fraudsters, Including Four Bank Officials 🚔📉
In a massive cybercrime crackdown, Hyderabad Police arrested 52 cyber fraudsters, including four bank officials, across multiple states.
📌 Key Highlights:
✔️ Fraud amount exceeded ₹88.32 crore across 576 cases.
✔️ The operation spanned Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Karnataka, and more.
✔️ Seized items: 44 mobile phones, 39 ATM cards, ₹47.90 lakh in cash, and ₹40 lakh in cryptocurrency.
This bust exposed a network specializing in trading fraud, digital arrest scams, data theft, and investment frauds.
15. Another Arrest in ₹1 Crore Cyber Fraud Case in Uttar Pradesh ⚖️💰
The Goa Cyber Crime Police arrested Rahul Mishra from Deoria, UP, in connection with a ₹1 crore fraud involving fake police complaints and extortion.
📌 Case Details:
✔️ Mishra was tracked through financial and technical analysis.
✔️ Linked to seven other cyber fraud cases worth ₹2.58 crore.
✔️ Seized: 2 mobile phones, a laptop, a tablet, and 2 hard disks.
16. Cybercriminals Cheat Pune Residents of ₹2 Crore in Online Frauds 💳⚠️
Multiple cyber fraud cases in Pune resulted in ₹2 crore losses, with victims falling prey to investment scams, stock frauds, and online deception.
📌 Major Cases Identified:
✔️ ₹1.74 crore lost via fake bank statements by a private company.
✔️ ₹32.03 lakh siphoned in an online stock trading scam.
✔️ ₹28.88 lakh stolen from a senior citizen through an elaborate online con.
17. 75-Year-Old Retired Airline Staffer Duped of ₹1 Crore in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam 🚨✈️
Cyber fraudsters posed as Delhi Crime Branch officials to dupe a retired airline staffer into transferring ₹1 crore over four days of digital arrest.
📌 How the Fraud Worked:
✔️ Victim received fake legal notices linking him to money laundering.
✔️ Scammers forced him to stay connected via video call for surveillance.
✔️ Pressured into transferring funds and even taking loans.
18. CBI to Intensify Crackdown on Cybercrime Syndicates with Global Cooperation 🌍🔍
The CBI announced a major international operation to track cybercrime syndicates involved in cryptocurrency fraud, Ponzi schemes, and loan scams.
📌 Initiatives Taken:
✔️ BHARATPOL launched – a platform to collaborate with Interpol.
✔️ Focus on “lone wolf” cybercriminals and large-scale cyber syndicates.
✔️ ₹350 crore stolen by accused operating across seven states.
19. Fraudster Impersonates Senior Citizen to Steal Money in Delhi 🕵️💸
A scammer hacked into a senior citizen’s WhatsApp account and impersonated him to extort money from his contacts.
📌 What Happened:
✔️ WhatsApp hacked, and contacts were asked for urgent funds.
✔️ A victim transferred ₹15,000 to fake accounts before realizing the fraud.
✔️ Scam discovered when multiple friends called the real victim.
20. Alert Consumer Foils Cyber Fraud Attempt in Madhya Pradesh ⚡📩
A West Discom electricity consumer prevented a fraud attempt where a scammer sent fake billing emails demanding payment.
📌 How the Fraud Was Caught:
✔️ Fraudulent bank details in the email raised suspicion.
✔️ Consumer contacted electricity department, confirming the email was fake.
✔️ West Discom issued a public warning, urging caution against cyber scams.
🌍 International Cybersecurity Developments
1. E.U. Sanctions 3 Russian Hackers for Cyber Attacks on Estonia 🇪🇪💻
The European Union has imposed sanctions on three Russian hackers accused of attacking Estonia’s government systems.
✔️ Hackers stole classified data from multiple ministries.
✔️ Linked to GRU’s Unit 29155, a Russian cyber warfare group.
The EU warns of increasing cyber threats from state-backed actors and urges nations to strengthen digital defenses.
2. UK Engineering Firm Smiths Group Hit by Cyber Attack 🏗️🔓
Smiths Group, a leading UK engineering company, reported unauthorized access to its systems, causing significant disruptions.
✔️ Systems isolated to prevent further breaches.
✔️ Investigators probing if ransomware was involved.
The company is working with cybersecurity experts to restore operations and assess data exposure risks.
3. Lazarus Group Uses React-Based Admin Panel for Global Cyber Attacks 🚨💻
North Korea’s infamous hacking group, Lazarus, has been using a React-based admin panel to control global cyber espionage campaigns.
📌 How It Works:
✔️ Attackers manage C2 (command-and-control) servers remotely.
✔️ Used in supply chain attacks targeting cryptocurrency firms.
✔️ 233 victims affected globally, including 110 in India.
4. DeepSeek AI Hit with Large-Scale Cyber Attack After Becoming #1 App 📊⚠️
The DeepSeek AI chatbot, which recently topped the Apple App Store, was hit by a massive cyber attack, forcing the company to limit new registrations.
📌 Attack Impact:
✔️ User data security at risk.
✔️ DeepSeek’s popularity threatened major tech firms, leading to speculation about targeted sabotage.
✔️ AI-driven cyber threats on the rise, raising concerns about future security risks.
5. Sophos Report Warns of AI Flaws Weakening Cybersecurity 🤖🔓
A new Sophos cybersecurity study highlights how flaws in Generative AI (Gen AI) could make cyber defenses more vulnerable.
📌 Major Concerns Raised:
✔️ AI-generated deepfake scams are harder to detect.
✔️ Lack of oversight makes AI systems a target for hackers.
✔️ Security leaders warn against over-reliance on AI tools for cyber defense.
6. U.S. Justice Department Seizes Cybercrime Websites Selling Hacking Tools 🛑💻
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) seized 39 websites linked to a Pakistan-based cybercrime marketplace selling phishing kits and hacking tools.
📌 Impact of the Operation:
✔️ Over $3 million in losses prevented by dismantling these marketplaces.
✔️ Hackers sold fraud-enabling software to global crime syndicates.
✔️ Websites provided YouTube tutorials for using phishing tools.
🔐 Closing Thoughts
Episode 16 continues to highlight critical cyber threats, fraudulent schemes, and international enforcement actions. With digital arrest scams on the rise and AI-driven cyber risks increasing, vigilance remains key. 🚨
Join us next week for Episode 17, where we dive deeper into the latest cyber developments. Until then, stay informed and cyber-secured with Visionary Bose! 🌍🔒
By : Shivam Dharpure
Founder & Director