Cybercriminals are using a new tactic called ‘digital detention’ to defraud victims, where they impersonate law enforcement officers and conduct online interrogations to intimidate and extort money. Victims are isolated, subjected to threats, and coerced into sharing personal information and assets, resulting in significant financial losses.
The Lulla brothers, Rajiv and Rahul (Sonny), are at the center of a major controversy surrounding Infrastructure India PLC (IIP), a company accused of financial mismanagement and misconduct. The brothers are alleged to have siphoned off millions of dollars, leaving the company on the brink of collapse. The accusations stem from an investigation into IIP’s financial dealings, which revealed a series of dubious transactions and inflated management fees. The investigation revealed a pattern of financial misconduct dating back to 2011, with the Lulla brothers using various entities to divert funds into their personal accounts.
Puja Khedkar, a former trainee IAS officer, was denied anticipatory bail by Delhi’s Patiala House Court after being accused of using fraudulent means to pass the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. Khedkar claimed she was being targeted for filing a sexual harassment complaint against an officer, but the court ruled that custodial interrogation was necessary to investigate the alleged fraud.
Microsoft has urged the US government to implement new regulations to address the misuse of AI-generated deepfakes, specifically their use in committing crimes like fraud, abuse, and manipulation. The company highlights the vulnerability of children and the elderly to this form of abuse and emphasizes the need for accountability for creators of malicious deepfakes.
Nader Al-Naji, the founder of BitClout, a social media platform that aimed to merge bitcoin culture with influencer reputation betting, has been arrested on charges of wire fraud. Authorities allege that Al-Naji misled investors by promising their funds would solely be used for the business development while he secretly siphoned millions for personal expenses and gifts. The SEC claims he lied about the decentralized nature of BitClout, raising over $257 million without proper registration.
Puja Khedkar, a provisional candidate for the Civil Services Examination 2022, faces criminal prosecution after the UPSC filed an FIR against her for allegedly falsifying her identity to exceed the permissible number of attempts in the exam. The Delhi Patiala House Court postponed the hearing on Khedkar’s anticipatory bail application on Tuesday, following the appointment of a new special public prosecutor. The UPSC has also issued a show cause notice for the cancellation of her candidature and debarment from future exams.
Amazon is warning customers about a surge in scams targeting Prime members. Scammers are using email, phone calls, and text messages to trick users into giving up their personal and payment information. Learn how to spot these scams and protect yourself.
Venezuela held a presidential election on Sunday, with incumbent Nicolas Maduro facing a formidable challenge from opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. The vote is seen as a potential turning point for the country, with the outcome potentially ending 25 years of socialist rule. However, concerns about fraud and the government’s control over electoral processes have raised fears that the results may not reflect the true will of the Venezuelan people.
Venezuela holds elections on Sunday, with President Nicolas Maduro seeking a third term amidst opposition anxieties about potential fraud. Despite the elections being deemed the most free in decades, the opposition faces significant challenges, including the absence of their main leader, Maria Corina Machado, and allegations of widespread harassment and arrests. The opposition fears that while the elections may be partially free, the voting and counting processes might not be sufficiently fair to ensure a level playing field. The election takes place against the backdrop of Venezuela’s prolonged crisis, characterized by economic hardship, mass exodus, and geopolitical tensions.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is implementing advanced digital technologies, including facial recognition, fingerprint authentication, and AI-based surveillance, to bolster exam integrity in the wake of a recent fraud case involving a trainee IAS officer. This move aims to ensure a fair and transparent examination process.
