Achive.php cybersecurity - The Cyber Shark
Contributor

cybersecurity

FCRF Announces New Publication: “Cyber Crime: Theory to Practice” – A Groundbreaking Guide for Law Enforcement

“Cyber Crime Theory to Practice – A Comprehensive Guide for Law Enforcement.

The Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), a leading non-profit organization dedicated to cybercrime research and solutions, has unveiled its latest initiative—a comprehensive publication titled “Cyber Crime: Theory to Practice – A Comprehensive Guide for Law Enforcement.” The book is set to bridge the critical gap between theoretical cybercrime knowledge and practical applications, offering a definitive resource for law enforcement agencies (LEAs), corporate professionals, and cybersecurity practitioners globally. This ambitious project aims to provide readers with both foundational theories and real-world solutions to combat the ever-evolving landscape of cybercrime. The book covers two main domains: Cyber Forensics and Cybersecurity, addressing the most pressing and contemporary challenges in digital crime investigations. In the Cyber Forensics Domain, the book delves into a wide range of specialized topics including mobile and IoT forensics, digital forensics tools, post-breach detection, blockchain investigations, ransomware analysis, and mobile device investigations. These areas are crucial for investigators handling complex cybercrimes and understanding the technical aspects of modern-day digital evidence. The Cybersecurity Domain focuses: the protection of digital infrastructures and critical data from malicious cyber threats. Topics covered in this section include zero-trust security models, phishing detection, cloud security, endpoint protection, and threat intelligence. The book also emphasizes the importance of proactive security measures, such as privileged access management and data encryption, to safeguard sensitive information. What makes this publication unique is its ability to combine theoretical insights with practical, case-based solutions. As cyber threats continue to evolve rapidly, this book empowers readers with actionable knowledge to confront and address these challenges effectively. By featuring real-world case studies, the book provides actionable strategies for law enforcement, corporate leaders, and cybersecurity experts to apply immediately. The FutureCrime Summit 2025 The FCRF has also announced the opening of registrations for the FutureCrime Summit 2025, India’s largest conference on technology-driven crime, inviting experts to participate and share their insights. Furthermore, the Foundation is calling for contributions from global professionals, encouraging them to submit their research, analyses, and case studies related to cybercrime. Submissions are expected to range from 3,000 to 7,000 words, with the deadline set for 15th January 2025. Proceeds from the book’s sales will go directly towards supporting FCRF’s mission of combating cybercrime and fostering a safer digital ecosystem. As a not-for-profit organization, FCRF is committed to conducting groundbreaking research and offering training programs to equip law enforcement and other stakeholders with the necessary tools to tackle cybercrime. This publication is a significant step forward in the ongoing fight against cybercrime, providing law enforcement professionals and cybersecurity practitioners with the knowledge they need to stay ahead of digital criminals in an increasingly connected world.

Department of Telecommunications Orders Telecom Operators to Play Cybercrime Awareness Caller Tune Daily

Cybersecurity

The telecom department has ordered operators to play cyber-crime awareness caller tune 8-10 times per day to telephone subscribers for three months. According to the order copy sent to the telecom operators, the caller tunes will be provided by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) — a cyber-crime wing under the Home Ministry. “To make the public aware of cybercrime through the caller tune campaign, it has been decided to play caller tune audios through pre-call announcement/ring back tone arrangement, which will be provided to TSPs by nodal officers of I4C. Caller tunes to a subscriber may be played about 8-10 times a day,” the order dated December 18 said. The order asked telecom service providers (TSPs) to take action on the order immediately. “Different caller tunes related to cybercrime will be provided every week for three months,” the order said. There has been a rise in the incidence of financial fraud through new scams like digital arrest, where cybercriminals pose as police, judges etc. to extort money from victims. The Centre and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have devised a system to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers that appear to be originating within India. According to the centre, such international spoofed calls have been made by cyber-criminals in recent cases of fake digital arrests, FedEx scams, impersonation of government and police officials, etc. Till November 15, more than 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1,32,000 IMEIs, as reported by Police authorities, have been blocked by the Centre.

CBI unravels Rs 260 crore international cyber fraud syndicate operating from Delhi-NCR

Cybersecurity Framework

An investigation by CBI into a massive cyber-enabled fraud syndicate revealed that the con, which originated from Delhi-NCR, allegedly defrauded foreign nationals of the US, Canada and other countries to the tune of Rs 260 crore through a fake call center. The syndicate, led by accused Tushar Kharbanda, a Noida resident, employed advanced techniques to commit cybercrime and launder the money by converting bitcoin into US dollars and vice-versa. The agency filed a charge sheet against three accused — Kharbanda, Gaurav Malik and Ankit Jain — under various sections of IPC and the Information Technology Act. “The accused were involved in running a fraudulent call center in Delhi and Noida that targeted elderly citizens in the US and Canada,” the CBI said. The supposed call center, a probe revealed, employed over 150 tele-callers, who posed as representatives from foreign law enforcement agencies, Amazon support, Microsoft tech support and other services to deceive victims. The accused used advanced techniques, including scripts for several fraud schemes and impersonation of US Social Security Administration officers. The CBI investigation revealed that the accused received over 316 bitcoins, equivalent to Rs 260 crore, in their bitcoin wallets, which were proceeds of crime. The money was then withdrawn by the members of the organized gang in Dubai. CBI also seized digital devices and incriminating evidence from the accused, including credentials of US victims and scripts for several fraud schemes. “The investigation uncovered an organized cyber-enabled fraud syndicate with international ramifications. Further investigation is on to nab their foreign-based conduits,” an officer said. The charge sheet was filed under sections of cheating and criminal conspiracy of the IPC besides section 66D of the IT Act. CBI started the investigation following a tip by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) through the National Central Bureau of India. The FIR alleged that Tushar Kharbanda, claiming to be an RCMP officer, convinced the victim that his identity was being used for fraudulent purposes. Under duress, the victim was coerced into transferring over 93,000 Canadian dollars into cryptocurrency via bitcoin ATMs in Canada, all of which were linked to Kharbanda and his associate’s cryptocurrency wallets. As the investigation progressed, links to other key figures in the fraud network were revealed, including Ankit Jain, who played a role in managing crypto wallets and assisting the primary accused, Kharbanda, in converting the bitcoin obtained from foreign victims into US dollars.

Razorpay joins MHA to enhance cybersecurity in India

Cybersecurity Framework (3)

has collaborated with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to enhance cybersecurity in the digital payments sector in India. This partnership focuses on equipping businesses and consumers with crucial knowledge to safeguard themselves, while also raising nationwide awareness about cybersecurity challenges. Alarmingly, 85% of reported cybercrime cases involve financial fraud, highlighting the increasing risks in online transactions. Between January and April of 2024, victims collectively lost over USD 21.2 million to such crimes. Officials from the I4C, emphasized the initiative’s significance, stating that the partnership with Razor Pay combines their technological expertise with I4C’s strategic initiatives to strengthen the digital economy in India. Strengthening digital security As part of the collaboration, Razor Pay will spearhead an extensive awareness campaign, educating businesses and consumers on essential cybersecurity topics. According to the announcement, the platform has already established connections with more than 1,600 cybercrime stations across 25 states and union territories, creating robust communication networks to combat cybercrime. It has also conducted specialized workshops to share strategies for fraud prevention and showcase its capabilities. Officials from Razor Pay highlighted India’s rapid growth in digital payments, noting that the nation has a responsibility to ensure safe digital experiences for its growing population of new digital users. Cybersecurity is integral to national progress, especially in a country like India, which accounts for 46% of global digital payment volumes. The rise in digital transactions has been accompanied by increased risks, as seen in recent data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, which recorded over 7,000 complaints daily from January to April 2024.