Visionary Vigilance: Cybersecurity Updates – Episode 2
Analysis of recent cyber incidents and enforcement actions. The article highlights the Kerala Police’s blacklisting of 22,000 phones used in cyber fraud, the launch of India’s 5,000-strong Cyber Commandos unit to combat digital threats, and the Jammu Cyber Cell’s recovery of ₹2.56 lakh for fraud victims. It also covers the SEC’s fines on four firms for SolarWinds disclosure failures and the partnership between CrowdStrike and Fortinet to enhance endpoint security. These developments underscore the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in addressing the evolving landscape of cyber threats. 
CYBERCRIMECYBERSECURITYCYBER UPDATES
Shivam Dharpure
11/11/20244 min read
Welcome to Visionary Vigilance, a complete roundup of the latest in cybersecurity news. We’ve organized it into Cyber Crimes & Scams, Achievements in Cyber Enforcement, Emerging Threats & Warnings, and Cybersecurity Innovations & Business Trends, with both National and International highlights.
🔴 Cyber Crimes & Scams
National
1. Fake Call Centre Busted in Lucknow – 12 Arrested 🕵️♂️
Authorities uncovered a fake call center scamming U.S. nationals, arresting 12 people. The group posed as legitimate representatives, extorting money through elaborate tactics.
2. Retired Army Officer Duped of ₹82 Lakh by Fake CBI Officers 💼
Scammers in Panchkula posed as CBI officers to scam a retired army officer out of ₹82 lakh, using high-pressure tactics to make him transfer funds.
3. Hyderabad Woman Scammed of ₹43 Lakh via Fake Police Claim 👮
A woman in Hyderabad lost ₹43 lakh after scammers convinced her she was under police investigation, exploiting her fear to extract money.
4. Elderly Man Defrauded of ₹2.88 Crore in Telangana 💸
An 84-year-old man in Telangana lost ₹2.88 crore to scammers posing as CBI officers. Police managed to recover ₹53 lakh after the incident.
5. Woman Loses ₹87,000 in Bengaluru Airport Lounge Scam ✈️
Scammers at Bengaluru Airport tricked a woman into downloading a fake app, charging her ₹87,000 for nonexistent lounge access.
6. Telangana Homemaker Duped of ₹3.6 Lakh in Online Trading Scam 📉
A Telangana homemaker invested ₹3.6 lakh in a fake online trading platform, losing the amount to a deceptive scheme.
7. Deepavali Firecracker Scams Spike in Tamil Nadu 🎆
Scammers set up fake online firecracker shops, targeting Tamil Nadu residents with bogus Deepavali discounts, prompting police warnings.
8. Delhi Fraudsters Arrested for ₹19 Lakh Bank Theft 💳
Four individuals in Delhi, posing as government officials, stole ₹19 lakh from a resident’s bank account. Police tracked and arrested the culprits.
9. Uttarakhand Residents Lose ₹46 Lakh Daily in Cyber Scams 📈
Scammers in Uttarakhand are defrauding residents of ₹46 lakh daily, totaling ₹133 crore over 290 days. Police efforts are ongoing to curb these losses.
10. NGO Manager Scammed for ₹1.16 Lakh by Fake Army Official 🎗️
An NGO manager in Telangana lost ₹1.16 lakh to a caller posing as an army official seeking donations.
11. Pune Retiree Defrauded of ₹1.13 Crore in Stock Market Scam 📉
A retired individual in Pune lost ₹1.13 crore in a fake stock investment scheme that promised high returns.
12. Goa Minister’s Identity Misused for WhatsApp Scam 📱
Scammers impersonated Goa’s Transport Minister on WhatsApp, soliciting money from unsuspecting contacts.
13. Telangana Youths Escape Cybercrime Ring in Laos 🌏
Four young men from Telangana escaped a cybercrime syndicate in Laos and filed complaints with local authorities upon their return.
14. Delhi Homemaker Scammed of ₹32.5 Lakh 📉
Scammers posing as police officials deceived a homemaker in Delhi into transferring ₹32.5 lakh.
15. Telangana Bank Staff Investigated for Alleged Fraud 🏛️
Bank employees in Telangana are under investigation for allegedly helping scammers access customer accounts.
International
1. Cyberattack on Russian Ministry During BRICS Summit 🌐
Amid the BRICS summit, Russia’s Foreign Ministry was hit by a massive DDoS attack, highlighting the heightened risk of international cyber incidents.
🏅 Achievements in Cyber Enforcement
National
1. Kerala Police Blacklists 22,000 Phones Used in Cyber Fraud 📵
Kerala’s Cyber Police disabled 22,000 phones used for cyber fraud, blocking their IMEI numbers and disrupting communication for scammers.
🔗 Details
2. India Launches New Cyber Commandos Unit 🛡️
India’s Cyber Commandos, a 5,000-strong unit, is now operational to respond to digital threats on a national scale.
3. Jammu Cyber Cell Recovers ₹2.56 Lakh for Fraud Victims 💰
Jammu’s Cyber Cell resolved five fraud cases, securing ₹2.56 lakh in refunds for victims.
4. Scindia Unveils Spoofed Call Prevention System 📞
Union Minister Scindia launched a system designed to prevent spoofed calls, addressing impersonation scams targeting Indian citizens.
International
1. SEC Fines Four Firms for SolarWinds Disclosure Failures 📉
The SEC imposed fines on Avaya, Unisys, Mimecast, and Check Point for failing to disclose their role in the SolarWinds breach.
⚠️ Emerging Threats & Warnings
National
1. Cyber Fraud Threatens India’s GDP 📊
The Ministry of Home Affairs estimates cyber fraud could cost India ₹1.2 lakh crore, affecting 0.7% of GDP, prompting calls for stronger protections.
2. Telegram Users in Kashmir Warned of Phishing Links ⚠️
Kashmir’s Cyber Police issued a warning for Telegram users to be cautious of phishing links that could compromise accounts.
3. Deepavali Shoppers in Tamil Nadu Targeted by Fake Discount Scams 🌟
Tamil Nadu police warned that scammers are promoting fake Deepavali discounts on firecrackers, using the festive season to lure victims.
🔗 Details
International
1. David Cameron Urges Cyber Engagement with China 🇬🇧🇨🇳
Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron called for balanced cybersecurity collaboration with China, weighing both security and diplomatic concerns.
🔧 Cybersecurity Innovations & Business Trends
National
1. India’s Economy at Risk of ₹1.2 Lakh Crore in Cyber Losses 💰
The economic impact of cyber fraud in India could reach ₹1.2 lakh crore, leading to government calls for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
International
1. CrowdStrike and Fortinet Join Forces for Endpoint Security 🛡️
Cybersecurity firms CrowdStrike and Fortinet partnered to improve endpoint security, addressing the need for integrated security in enterprise environments.
2. Bitwarden Survey Highlights Password Management Trends 🔐
A recent Bitwarden survey shows an increase in the use of password managers as more people seek to protect against cyber threats.
🔍 In Closing: Stay Vigilant, Stay Secure
That wraps up this week’s Visionary Vigilance! Staying informed on emerging threats and achievements in enforcement is crucial in today’s digital age. Join us next week for the latest in cybersecurity.
- Shivam Dharpure
Founder & Director
Visionary Bose Pvt. Ltd.