Two shocking cybercrime incidents in Maharashtra have left senior citizens significantly impoverished. A 74-year-old in Thane lost ₹3.57 crore, and a 77-year-old in Mumbai lost ₹3.8 crore to scammers impersonating police officers. Authorities are investigating, highlighting the growing threat of digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations.
Hackers are leveraging Microsoft’s own email system to launch a sophisticated sextortion scam, using legitimate addresses to bypass security measures and demand Bitcoin ransoms. Experts urge caution and immediate reporting of suspicious emails.
Dileep Konatham, a prominent Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former Telangana Digital Media Director, has been arrested by Hyderabad Cybercrime police for allegedly spreading misinformation. His arrest follows a series of controversial social media posts criticizing the state government and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, sparking a political firestorm and raising concerns about freedom of speech.
Disha Patani’s father, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, has filed a police complaint alleging he was defrauded of ₹25 lakh by a group claiming to secure him a senior government position. The case highlights a sophisticated scam targeting influential individuals.
Indian airlines have been facing a wave of hoax bomb threats in recent weeks, with multiple flights across various carriers receiving false alarms. The incidents have caused widespread disruption and raised concerns about passenger safety and national security. Authorities are investigating the source of these threats, which have proven to be unfounded but have still caused significant inconvenience and fear.
A 44-year-old IT employee in Hyderabad was held captive for nearly 30 hours by scammers who impersonated Mumbai Police, threatening him with a fake money laundering case and ‘digital arrest’. The employee, despite being terrified by the elaborate scheme, managed to escape the trap without losing any money. This case highlights the increasing sophistication of online scams in India and emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant against such threats.
The ISKCON temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, received its fourth bomb threat in three days on Sunday, prompting authorities to increase security measures. While the threats turned out to be hoaxes, police are actively investigating the origins of these alarming emails, which have also targeted hotels and the airport in the city.
India is facing a growing wave of ‘digital arrest’ scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money from victims. The government has reported over ₹120 crore in losses during the first quarter of 2024 alone, with victims tricked into believing they are under arrest for illegal activities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the alarming rise of these scams and urged citizens to be vigilant.
In his latest ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised serious concerns about a new online scam called ‘Digital Arrest,’ where fraudsters impersonate officials to extort money from unsuspecting citizens. He outlined the modus operandi of the scam, highlighting the tactics used by the criminals, and provided practical steps to stay safe.
A wave of bomb threats has disrupted flights across India, with over 300 flights receiving hoax threats in just two weeks. The latest incident involved a 25-year-old man, arrested for sending threats to IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara flights. Authorities are working to curb this alarming trend of misinformation and disruptions in air travel.
