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Cyber criminals make fake WhatsApp accounts of Goa minister, another MLA

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Several top Goa politicians including ministers were attacked by cyber fraudsters with fake WhatsApp accounts created in their names. Police complaints have been lodged at multiple police stations related to the attempt at defrauding the politicians which are under investigation at Vasco and Porvorim. Three ministers — Ravi Naik, Mauvin Godinho and Rohan Khaunte — were among the politicians targeted and all three have filed complaints. Among the MLAs Jeet Arolkar, Nilesh Cabral and Premendra Shet were targeted by the fraudsters. Some of the targeted politicians have issued public notices through social media warning their acquaintances and karyakartas about conmen seeking money through their fake WhatsApp profiles. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte filed a complaint at the Porvorim police station against an unknown person for impersonating him and using his name and photo on WhatsApp to send messages to people to trick them. In his complaint, Khaunte stated that on Thursday at about 2.50 pm, he was informed by his staff that an unknown person had sent him a WhatsApp text pretending to be Rohan Khaunte using his name and picture. Khaunte said he then immediately instructed his staff to check the contact number and other corresponding credentials of the said person. It was noticed that the unknown person had created a business account under his name and had used a photo which was uploaded on the website of the Goa Legislative Assembly, to make the WhatsApp contact look authentic. Khaunte then lodged a complaint against the miscreant for impersonating him and using his name and reputation to send messages to people under Section 319, 204 and 205 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 66D & 66D of IT Act, 2000 and Representation of the People Act, 1951. The minister requested the Porvorim police to register a First Information Report as the incident clearly discloses commission of a serious crime. He has also demanded an immediate investigation by police. In Vasco, a complaint was filed against an unknown person for allegedly creating a fake WhatsApp account in the name of Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, in a fraudulent attempt to solicit money. Condemning the fraudulent activities, Godinho said, “It has come to my attention that a false message has been circulated in my name and image on WhatsApp, requesting money through an Amazon Pay e-gift card. This message is fraudulent, and I strongly condemn such malicious activities.” The minister confirmed that an official complaint has been lodged with the police, and an investigation is underway. He also appealed to the public to exercise caution when encountering suspicious requests. “I urge everyone to remain vigilant and not engage with any suspicious requests. Thank you for your cooperation and support,” Godinho added. The incident has raised concerns about online scams targeting public figures and unsuspecting individuals. Police are investigating the case.

84-year-old cyber fraud victim gets Rs 53 lakh refund in Hyderabad

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Hyderabad police have helped in refunding Rs 53 lakh to an octogenarian, who lost Rs 2.88 crore to cyber fraudsters. The victim, who was cheated by cyber fraudsters on the pretext of wrongdoing, received the amount on the court’s order. City Cybercrime Police had taken up the investigation after a complaint from an 84-year-old man from Hyderabad. According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand, the fraudsters contacted the complainant through a WhatsApp video call, posing as CBI officials. They claimed that he was involved in Rs 68 crore financial fraud and threatened to send him to jail. Frightened over this, the victim on the instructions of fraudsters transferred Rs 2.88 crore to the bank accounts given by them. The Cyber Crime Police registered a case under Sections 66(C), 66(D) of the IT Act, and 308(2), 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2) of BNS, and investigated the case. The police officials sent notices to the bank officials, followed up with them to freeze the fraudulent amount, and guided the complainant to file a petition in court for the refund of the amount held in the fraudulent accounts to the complainant’s bank account. The Police Commissioner said due to the sincere efforts of staff, the court issued orders to the banks for a refund of the amount. The court directed Axis Bank, Surat to refund Rs 53 lakh and State Bank of India Kerala to refund Rs 50 lakh. On regular follow-up with the bank officials, Rs 53 lakh was transferred today to the complainant’s account, the Police Commissioner said. He cautioned people not to be afraid of threatening calls that they will be arrested. Police will not make such calls and people have to keep in mind that it is only fraudsters who make such calls. Never send money to such fraudsters, block such calls, and lodge an online complaint immediately on the helpline number 1930 or through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal cybercrime.gov.in, he urged people. People have been requested to follow Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Station’s social media handles regularly to get time-to-time awareness about such cyber frauds. There is a possibility to get a refund of at least part of the lost amount and a ‘put on hold’ amount, if the fraud is reported immediately.

Union Minister Scindia Launches Call Prevention System to Shield Indians from Cyber Criminals

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Another step by Department of Telecom (DoT) to protect Citizens from cyber frauds The system identifies and blocks the incoming international calls posing as Indian phone numbers System identified and blocked about 1.35 crore calls as spoofed calls in last 24 hrs, which are 90 % of all the incoming international calls Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region today launched ‘International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System’, in the presence of Minister of State for Communications & Rural Development Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar. The launch ceremony was attended by Secretary Telecom and other senior officers. This is another milestone of DoT’s efforts towards building a safe digital space and protecting citizens from cyber-crime. Of late, cyber criminals have been committing cyber-crimes by making international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers (+91-xxxxxxxxx). These calls appear to be originating within India but are actually being made from abroad by manipulating the calling line identity (CLI) or commonly known as phone number. These spoofed calls have been used for financial scams, impersonating government officials, and creating panic. There have also been cases of cyber-crime threatening disconnection of mobile numbers by DoT/TRAI officials, fake digital arrests, drugs/narcotics in courier, impersonation as police officials, arrest in sex racket etc. Department of Communications (DoT) and Telecom Service (TSPs) have collaborated and devised a system to identify and block such incoming international spoofed calls from reaching the Indian telecom subscribers. The system was made operational and it has been observed that within 24 hours of operation of the system, about 1.35 crore or 90% from all the incoming international calls with Indian phone numbers were identified as spoofed calls and blocked by TSPs from reaching Indian telecom subscribers. Indian telecom subscribers should see a significant reduction in such spoofed calls with +91-xxxxxxx numbers with implementation of this system. Despite such best efforts, there could be cases where fraudsters succeed through other means. For such calls, you can help by reporting such suspected fraud communications at Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi (www.sancharsaasthi, gov.in). The DoT remains committed to proactively combating cybercrime. For those who have already lost money or been victims of cybercrime, please report the incident at the cybercrime helpline number 1930 or website https://www.cybercrime.gov.in

Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing Warns of Online Firecracker Sale Scams Ahead of Diwali

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  As the festive season approaches, the Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing has warned the public about a surge in online firecracker sale scams. According to the police, scammers are targeting buyers by exploiting Diwali enthusiasm, with 17 complaints reported between September and October through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The cybercrime police explained that scammers are using social media platforms to post attractive advertisements offering significant discounts on firecrackers. Victims, eager to capitalise on these deals, contact the fraudsters via WhatsApp or phone calls. Scammers then share links to fake websites, such as www.kannancrackers.in and www.sunrisecrackers.com, designed to appear legitimate but intended to steal money. “These sites often display genuine-looking product catalogues, prices, and payment options,” said the police. “Once payment is made, the victims never receive their ordered products, and the scammers vanish with the money.” The public is also at risk of having their personal and financial information compromised. In response, the police have issued an advisory urging people to verify the authenticity of online sellers, ensuring they have legitimate physical addresses and contact information before making any payments. The advisory also warns against ads that promote unrealistic deals, unusually low prices, or limited-time offers. To stay safe, the public is advised to purchase firecrackers from well-known brands, official websites, or established e-commerce platforms. Additionally, the police have encouraged users to report suspicious ads on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to prevent others from falling victim to these scams. Victims of such cyber fraud, or those observing suspicious activities, can report incidents through the helpline number 1930 or via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in.

Navigating the Investment Minefield: How to Spot and Avoid Scams in India

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In this blog, we aim to raise awareness about how these scams work and what precautions you can take to protect yourself. As India transforms from a saving nation to an investing nation, the promise of easy money is becoming more tempting than ever. Fraudsters are capitalising on this hope of making quick money by offering fake investment opportunities that promise high returns with minimal risk. Investment fraud has become a major concern among Indians. Whether through phone calls, social media or fake online trading platforms, these scams can drain your savings before you even realise something is wrong. What is investment fraud? Investment fraud occurs when scammers promise unrealistically high returns with little or no risk, with the aim of tricking people into investing their money. These fraudsters often claim to be financial experts, using fake documents and testimonials to build trust. They create professional-looking websites, display false performance reports, and use familiar financial terminology to appear legitimate. Although the methods may vary, the goal remains the same: to steal your money. Scammers rely on the fact that many investors are unaware of common red flags. As these scams evolve, it is important for investors to stay informed and vigilant. How scammers operate: Investment scammers use a variety of tactics to make their schemes appear legitimate. A common scheme prevalent today involves the following events: Initial contact through various channels: Scammers usually make contact via phone calls, social media platforms, email, text messages, or instant messaging apps. They may also use fake investment websites, fake news articles, or deep fake videos of celebrities endorsing their schemes. They attempt to attract attention by offering free events, content, or videos that claim to teach how to get rich. Group manipulation on messaging apps: Victims are often added to groups on platforms such as WhatsApp or Telegram, where they are directed to open trading accounts through fraudulent apps. In these groups, fraudsters create a sense of excitement and urgency, thus leading victims to invest as much money as possible. Incentives to invest more: After a small initial investment, scammers send them fake reports showing large profits. Imagine you invest Rs 10,000 and you receive a message telling you that your account balance has grown to Rs 15,000 overnight. This tactic builds trust and encourages the victim to invest larger amounts, believing that they are making significant profits. Sudden loss of access and communication: When the victim tries to withdraw their money, they discover that access to the funds is blocked. At this point, communication with the scammers ends abruptly, leaving the victim unable to recover their investment. These can easily fool people who are new to investing or who want to make quick profits. Protection to prevent investment fraud To protect yourself from investment fraud, it is important to follow these precautionary steps: Be suspicious of unrealistic claims: Stay away from any offer that guarantees high returns without any risk. Legitimate investments are always associated with a level of risk, and any claim to the contrary should immediately raise suspicion. Verify the investment: Always confirm whether the entity is registered with SEBI or any other regulatory body before investing. You can visit the official website of SEBI to check the registration details of the investment firm or platform. Do not respond to unsolicited messages: Avoid unsolicited investment offers received via phone, email or social media. Fraudsters use these to initiate fraud, and once you respond, they may pressure you to make hasty decisions. Keep your personal information safe: Never share sensitive information such as bank account details, OTPs or passwords. Scammers often ask for these details to steal your identity or money. If an investment platform asks for this information, it is likely to be a scam. Report suspicious activity: If you notice an investment scam or fall victim to it, report it immediately. You can contact the National Cyber ​​Crime Helpline by dialing 1930 or report the matter on cybercrime.gov.in. If you have made any unauthorized transactions, immediately inform your bank for assistance. Conclusion:- Investment frauds are becoming increasingly complex, making it necessary for investors in India to remain vigilant. By understanding how these scams work, recognizing the red flags, and following precautionary measures, you can save your hard-earned money.  

CERT-In and Master Card India sign MoU for collaboration in cyber security to enhance India’s cyber-resilience in Financial Sector

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Two entities will leverage their shared expertise to strengthen financial sector cyber security incident response Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is a Government organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. CERT-In has been designated to serve as National agency for incident response under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000. CERT-In has joined hands with Master Card to promote cooperation and information sharing in the area of Cyber security related to the financial sector. The two entities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which they will leverage their shared expertise with regards to financial sector in the fields of cyber security incident response, capacity building, sharing cyber threat intelligence specific to financial sector and advanced malware analysis. As part of the mutual understanding, Master Card and CERT-In will hold training programs and workshops  for cyber capacity building, latest market trends and best practices to enhance cyber security of financial sector organizations. The two entities will also share relevant cyber threat trends, technical information, threat intelligence, and vulnerability reports to strengthen the financial sector information security of India. “Cyber security is the need of the hour and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi government is committed to ensuring that people on digital platforms are secure, as this warfare is not on the ground but in cyberspace. I am confident that this is an important milestone that will benefit not only both entities but also the public at large,” said Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce & industry; and Electronics and Information Technology. “Master Card’s comprehensive approach to security gives its partners and customers deeper visibility into cyber risk and greater adaptability and resilience, protecting their systems through the latest AI technology. The company is delighted to collaborate with CERT-In to fortify India’s financial digital ecosystem, which has powered unprecedented growth in the country,” said Shri Gautam Aggarwal, Division President, South Asia at Master Card. About CERT-In: www.cert-in.org.in The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is a Government organization under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. CERT-In has been designated to serve as National agency for incident response under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000. CERT-In operates 24×7 incident response Help Desk for providing timely response to reported cyber security incidents. CERT-In provides Incident Prevention and Response services as well as Security Quality Management Services. About Master Card (NYSE: MA) Master Card is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

Cybercriminals Exploiting Docker API Servers for SRB Miner Crypto Mining Attacks

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Bad actors have been observed targeting Docker remote API servers to deploy the SRBMiner crypto miner on compromised instances, according to new findings from Trend Micro. “In this attack, the threat actor used the gRPC protocol over h2c to evade security solutions and execute their crypto mining operations on the Docker host,” researchers Abdelrahman Esmail and Sunil Bharti said in a technical report published today. “The attacker first checked the availability and version of the Docker API, then proceeds with requests for gRPC/h2c upgrades and gRPC methods to manipulate Docker functionalities.” It all starts with the attacker conducting a discovery process to check for public-facing Docker API hosts and the availability of HTTP/2 protocol upgrades in order to follow up with a connection upgrade request to the h2c protocol (i.e., HTTP/2 sans TLS encryption). The adversary also proceeds to check for gRPC methods that are designed to carry out various tasks pertaining to managing and operating Docker environments, including those related to health checks, file synchronization, authentication, secrets management, and SSH forwarding. Once the server processes the connection upgrade request, a “/moby.buildkit.v1.Control/Solve” gRPC request is sent to create a container and then use it to mine the XRP crypto currency using the SRBMiner payload hosted on GitHub. It all starts with the attacker conducting a discovery process to check for public-facing Docker API hosts and the availability of HTTP/2 protocol upgrades in order to follow up with a connection upgrade request to the h2c protocol (i.e., HTTP/2 sans TLS encryption). The adversary also proceeds to check for gRPC methods that are designed to carry out various tasks pertaining to managing and operating Docker environments, including those related to health checks, file synchronization, authentication, secrets management, and SSH forwarding. Once the server processes the connection upgrade request, a “/moby.buildkit.v1.Control/Solve” gRPC request is sent to create a container and then use it to mine the XRP crypto currency using the SRBMiner payload hosted on GitHub. The shell script, besides checking and terminating duplicate instances of itself, creates a bash script that, in turn, contains another Base64-encoded payload responsible for downloading a malicious binary that masquerades as a PHP file (“avatar.php”) and delivers a payload named httpd, echoing a report from Aqua earlier this month. Users are recommended to secure Docker remote API servers by implementing strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access, monitor them for any unusual activities, and implement container security best practices.