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Actor <keyword id="19897962" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamannaah-Bhatia" source="keywords">Tamannaah Bhatia</keyword>, who made waves with her recent cameo in Stree 2, is in the news again — but for a very unexpected reason this time. The actor was questioned by the <keyword id="19895344" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Enforcement-Directorate" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Enforcement Directorate" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Enforcement Directorate">Enforcement Directorate</keyword> (ED) in Guwahati on Thursday in connection with a high-profile <keyword id="19899231" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="money-laundering" source="keywords">money laundering</keyword> case involving the ‘<keyword id="19984854" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HPZ-Token" source="keywords">HPZ Token</keyword>’ mobile app, where several investors were allegedly duped on the pretext of <keyword id="23296351" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cryptocurrency-mining" source="keywords">cryptocurrency mining</keyword>. The 34-year-old actor’s statement was recorded under the <keyword id="19912399" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prevention-of-Money-Laundering-Act" source="keywords">Prevention of Money Laundering Act</keyword> (PMLA), according to the Press Trust of India (PTI). Bhatia allegedly received payments for making a "<keyword id="23595308" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="celebrity-appearance" source="keywords">celebrity appearance</keyword>" at an event linked to the app, though there were no incriminating charges against her. Initially called for questioning earlier, she deferred the summons due to professional commitments but appeared on Thursday, as per PTI. The money laundering probe is tied to an FIR filed by the <keyword id="21156024" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-crimes-unit" source="keywords">cyber crimes unit</keyword> of Kohima Police, where several accused were booked under the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act. The app in question, 'HPZ Token,' was reportedly used to deceive investors by promising hefty returns on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency mining. For an investment of ₹57,000, investors were promised returns of ₹4,000 per day for three months, but payments were halted after the first round, and fresh funds were solicited. The ED’s investigation uncovered 299 entities involved, including 76 Chinese-controlled entities, accused of creating "shell entities" to launder funds. The agency seized assets worth ₹455 crore following searches across the country. This case is part of a broader crackdown on fraudulent online schemes and <keyword id="20454123" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="illegal-betting" source="keywords">illegal betting</keyword> tied to cryptocurrency investments. (With inputs from sources)

Why is actor Tamannaah Bhatia being questioned by the ED for a money laundering case?

In a landmark judgement, the <keyword id="19900742" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Supreme Court of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Supreme Court of India">Supreme Court of India</keyword> has broadened the definition of crimes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court ruled that simply viewing <keyword id="20456028" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="child-pornography" source="keywords">child pornography</keyword> on the internet, without physically possessing or storing the material, is now a criminal offence under Section 15 of the <keyword id="19920672" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="POCSO-Act" source="keywords">POCSO Act</keyword> and provisions of the <keyword id="19930099" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="information-technology" source="keywords">Information Technology</keyword> (IT) Act. This ruling significantly expands the scope of the law to address the evolving challenges posed by digital platforms. <h2>A wider net</h2>In its ruling, a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice J.B. Pardiwala stated, "Any act of viewing, distributing, or displaying child pornographic material by a person over the internet without any actual or physical possession or storage of such material in any device or in any form or manner would also amount to 'possession' in terms of Section 15 of POCSO Act." This interpretation effectively settled conflicting verdicts from various high courts, notably overturning a Madras High Court decision that had quashed a POCSO case against an individual who had viewed child pornography but had not circulated it. The Supreme Court, in agreeing with senior advocate H.S. Phoolka's arguments, deemed the earlier judgement "egregiously erroneous." <h2>Crimes categorised</h2>In a further clarification, the Supreme Court divided crimes related to child pornography under Section 15 of the POCSO Act into three distinct categories. The decision emphasised that law enforcement and courts must carefully assess each case to determine the specific category under which an offence falls. One critical insight from the judgement is that an offender cannot escape prosecution by simply deleting illegal content before an FIR is registered. The bench declared, "We clarify that there is no requirement under Section 15 of POCSO Act that ‘storage’ or ‘possession’ must continue to exist at the time of initiation of the criminal proceeding, and no such requirement can be read into the said provision." <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113417654" title="“Learned no lessons from Nirbhaya case”: Madhya Pradesh High Court criticises lenient treatment of crime-accused juvies in India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This means that even if an individual deletes the material before the authorities take action, they may still face <keyword id="20554971" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="legal-consequences" source="keywords">legal consequences</keyword> based on the mere act of viewing or temporary possession. <h2><keyword id="23293250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="automatic-downloads" source="keywords">Automatic downloads</keyword></h2>Acknowledging the complexities of <keyword id="20573374" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-media" source="keywords">digital media</keyword>, the Supreme Court recognised that certain child pornographic content might be automatically downloaded onto devices without the user’s knowledge. To address this, the court created a safeguard for those unaware of the offensive material stored on their devices. If a person discovers such material on their device through automatic downloads, they will not be prosecuted if they take immediate steps to delete it and report it to the authorities. However, the onus is on the device owner to act swiftly. Failure to delete or report the offensive material after becoming aware of it would constitute an offence under the law. To avoid the automatic downloading of problematic material, there are several proactive measures you can take. First, adjust your browser settings to disable automatic downloads and pop-ups, ensuring you have to approve any file before it is downloaded to your device. Regularly update your web browser and security software to benefit from the latest protections against malicious websites. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113146443" title="Karnataka HC rejects school teacher&amp;#39;s plea to quash POCSO case over filming of girl students" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Additionally, be cautious about the sites you visit, particularly those that seem suspicious or unfamiliar; stick to well-known, reputable sources. Additionally, consider using ad blockers or content filters that can prevent potentially harmful content from loading. Always be mindful of any unsolicited links in emails or messages, as these can lead to automatic downloads of unwanted material. Lastly, routinely monitor your device for any unfamiliar files and promptly delete anything that looks suspicious to minimise your risk of unknowingly storing problematic content. <h2>What this means for the future</h2>This judgement sends a clear message: India is taking a zero-tolerance approach toward child pornography in all its forms, whether stored, distributed, or merely viewed. The ruling adapts the legal framework to modern challenges, ensuring that perpetrators can no longer hide behind technicalities such as the absence of physical possession. The Supreme Court’s interpretation also places a burden on individuals to exercise responsibility in the digital world. Anyone who stumbles upon child pornography, whether intentionally or accidentally, must take swift action to avoid legal consequences. (With inputs from agencies)

You can now be prosecuted for unknowingly “auto-downloading” child porn. Here’re some safe browsing habits

Many people around the world invest their hard-earned money in order to increase its value. Investments can be carried out through various channels and online investments are quite popular as they are a convenient way to earn some extra cash. However, the world of online investments is full of <keyword id="19962622" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="scammers" source="keywords">scammers</keyword> as well who constantly look out for unsuspecting victims. In many cases, these scammers pose as financial advisors and lure people in their trap. They might even let the victim earn some money to prove their authenticity. Once the victim begins trusting them, the fraudsters show their true colourrs. Something similar happened with a man from Hyderabad, who fell victim to a <keyword id="19901142" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-fraud" source="keywords">cyber fraud</keyword>, losing Rs 8.17 lakh in a deceptive <keyword id="22852878" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="online-trading-scheme" source="keywords">online trading scheme</keyword>. The incident highlights the growing menace of <keyword id="19971937" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cybercrime" source="keywords">cybercrime</keyword>, especially in the form of <keyword id="21250548" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="investment-scams" source="keywords">investment scams</keyword> that prey on unsuspecting individuals seeking quick profits. <h2>How the scam unfolded</h2>As per a report in New Indian Express, the 40-year-old man was initially contacted through random calls, including messages on Telegram, where he was lured into joining a group that claimed to offer profitable trading opportunities. The scammers added him to social media groups where they showcased the supposed success stories of others who had invested and made significant profits. Encouraged by these (false) success stories, the victim began by investing a small amount of money. To his surprise, he quickly received returns on his initial investment, which further convinced him of the scheme’s legitimacy. This early success was part of the scammers' strategy to build trust and encourage the victim to invest larger amounts. As the victim's confidence grew, he decided to invest more money, even going as far as taking bank loans and borrowing from friends to increase his trading capital. The scammers, posing as experienced traders, provided him with tips and advice, which seemed to be leading to profitable trades. However, as time passed, the victim started noticing irregularities. Despite his trades showing profits, the system would automatically close them, resulting in losses. When he questioned this, the scammers blamed the system’s automated processes and reassured him that his losses could be recovered by investing more. The situation reached a tipping point when the victim was unable to withdraw any funds from the trading app. Growing increasingly concerned, he approached a friend for a loan, explaining his predicament. It was this friend who first alerted him to the possibility that he was being scammed. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the victim immediately filed an online complaint with the cybercrime police. <keyword id="22852879" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hyderabad-Cyber-Crimes-police" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Hyderabad Cyber Crimes police" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Hyderabad Cyber Crimes police">Hyderabad Cyber Crimes police</keyword> have registered a case and are currently investigating the matter. According to an official statement, the scammers had manipulated the trading app from the backend, deliberately causing the victim’s trades to close in losses even when they were in profit. The fraudsters continued to pressure the victim to transfer more funds, promising that he could recover his losses by making additional investments. <h2>How to protect yourself from such scams</h2>This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online investment schemes, particularly those that promise quick and easy profits. Cybercriminals often use sophisticated tactics to build trust with their victims, only to deceive them into losing substantial amounts of money. Thus, if you receive random calls or messages offering investment opportunities, approach them with caution. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to convince you to invest quickly. If you do decide to invest, before going ahead, research the platform or group thoroughly. Check for reviews, and verify if the platform is registered with relevant financial authorities. In addition to this, be cautious about sharing your financial details or personal information with unknown parties, especially through unsecured communication channels. Also, if you are considering a new investment opportunity, seek advice from trusted friends, family members, or financial advisors. A second opinion can help you avoid making hasty decisions based on false promises.

Hyderabad man uses online trading app to try and earn some extra money, loses Rs 8 lakh

5 tips to prevent WhatsApp scam

The <keyword id="19895346" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Calcutta-High-Court" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Calcutta High Court" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Calcutta High Court">Calcutta High Court</keyword> on Thursday directed the <keyword id="19896633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CBI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="CBI" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="CBI">CBI</keyword> to file a report by September 18 on detestable posts being made on social media regarding the <keyword id="22813393" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rape-murder-victim" source="keywords">rape-murder victim</keyword> of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. The body of the on-duty trainee doctor was found in the seminar room of the state-run hospital on August 9, triggering nationwide outrage. The CBI is investigating the case from the second week of August on an order of the high court. The petitioner prayed in the PIL that the CBI be directed to investigate the <keyword id="22008077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-offences" source="keywords">cyber offences</keyword> in connection with the "unfortunate and brutal incident." The court asked the Additional Solicitor General Asok Kumar Chakrabarti, representing the central agency, whether it could find a way to block these types of posts. The division bench, presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, directed the joint director, CBI, Kolkata, to look into the grievance expressed by the petitioner with regard to the issue of such abominable <keyword id="20074678" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-media-posts" source="keywords">social media posts</keyword>. The bench, also comprising Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, directed the CBI joint director or any other competent officer to file a report in this regard by September 18, when the PIL will come up for hearing again along with other petitions relating to the August 9 rape-murder of the doctor. After the order was dictated, Chakrabarti submitted before the court that the CBI does not have any separate wing to investigate such cyber crimes. Maintaining that the state police has a special unit to monitor such matters, he prayed that the <keyword id="20054502" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Bengal-government" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="West Bengal government" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="West Bengal government">West Bengal government</keyword>'s cyber crime branch be also directed to file a separate report. The court said that it would consider the prayer on the next date of hearing.

Calcutta High Court seeks CBI report on nasty social media posts on RG Kar hospital rape-murder victim

<ul><li>Between January 2020 and June 2023, 75% of cyber crimes in India were attributed to financial frauds.</li><li>Expenses incurred in the retrieval or restoration of lost or corrupted data resulting from malware attacks is covered in policies. </li><li>Financial losses incurred due to online shopping on fraudulent websites are also covered. </li></ul>Online monetary transactions are on the rise every year and as we spend more and more time in the virtual world, the world of crime has seen opportunities and spread its tentacles in this sphere too. Cybersecurity fraud includes various types, including <keyword id="6359049" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="phishing" source="Orion">phishing</keyword> attacks that trick users into revealing personal information, ransomware that encrypts data for extortion, <keyword id="429939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="identity-theft" source="Orion">identity theft</keyword> for financial gain, and malware infections exploiting vulnerabilities in systems. Many of these frauds result in <keyword id="514956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-loss" source="Orion">financial loss</keyword> because the bank account of the victim is compromised. A study conducted by a start-up incubated with IIT Kanpur revealed that between January 2020 and June 2023, 75% of cyber crimes in India were attributed to financial frauds. Companies take <keyword id="1672191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-insurance" source="Orion">cyber insurance</keyword> to protect themselves from damages due to cyber frauds. Cyber security insurance is also available for individuals. HDFC ERGO, offers a cyber sachet insurance policy, tailored for individuals, including students, women, entrepreneurs, and working professionals. The policy covers a range of cyber threats such as theft of funds, identity theft, social media liability, malware attacks, phishing, and third-party data breaches along with coverage for counselling services to support individuals who experience emotional setbacks due to cyber incidents. Also one can extend the coverage to cover their smart home devices affected by malware attacks. Similarly Bajaj Allianz provides an Individual Cyber Safe Insurance Policy. Cyber insurance acts as a protective measure against potential losses incurred online, offering assurance and coverage in case of adverse incidents. This insurance coverage grants peace of mind, allowing individuals to engage in online activities without constant concern over financial ramifications caused by cyber threats. Such plans can have a sum insured of ₹10,000 to ₹5 crore. Let us take a look at what all is covered under cyber insurance. Financial loss: The coverage extends to financial losses resulting from online frauds, encompassing unauthorised access, phishing, and spoofing incidents affecting bank accounts, credit/debit cards, and digital wallets. “Any sort of financial loss due to any <keyword id="6358845" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-fraud" source="Orion">cyber fraud</keyword> is covered up to the sum assured in the policy. For example if someone clicks on a phishing link and then one's account is hacked and one loses money from their bank account the policy will cover it,” says TA Ramalingam, chief technical officer, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance . Identity theft: Coverage includes indemnification for financial losses, credit monitoring expenses, legal fees for prosecution resulting from the unauthorised use of personal information by a third party on the internet. Additionally, it encompasses psychological consultation expenses for the affected individual. Data restoration: Expenses incurred in the retrieval or restoration of lost or corrupted data resulting from malware attacks is covered. “Cost incurred in restoring lost or corrupted data or replacing hardware due to malware attack,” says Parthanil Ghosh, President, Retail Business HDFC ERGO General Insurance. Hardware replacement: Expenses associated with replacing your personal device or its components that have been impacted or damaged due to a malware attack are covered. Cyber bullying: Coverage includes legal expenses, expenses related to removing objectionable content posted by cyber-bullies, and psychological consultation costs for the affected individual. Online shopping: Financial losses may be incurred due to online shopping on fraudulent websites. “Online shopping fraud where an item is not received even after making a full payment is covered,” says Ghosh. What is not covered Any losses resulting out of dishonest or improper conduct is not covered. Any losses arising out of racist, pornographic or other immoral services or restricted websites are also not covered. Some of the other exclusions include coverage for investment activities like selling shares and losses in cryptocurrency. It is the onus of the policyholder to follow basic safety procedures. “One needs to behave as if one is not insured. So if someone makes basic mistakes like sharing one’s PIN or OTP or writing the PIN at the back of an ATM card, the insurance company won't cover any damages,” says Ramalingam. If you are a heavy mobile phone or Internet user, having cyber insurance can give you a safety net. However, remember, it pays to stay vigilant.

Online financial crimes on the rise – How to secure your digital world

Melbourne, Jul 24 (The Conversation): The internet, a vast and indispensable resource for modern society, has a darker side where malicious activities thrive. From identity theft to sophisticated <keyword id="20928831" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="malware-attacks" source="keywords">malware attacks</keyword>, <keyword id="20053150" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-criminals" source="keywords">cyber criminals</keyword> keep coming up with new scam methods. Widely available generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools have now added a new layer of complexity to the <keyword id="20080676" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-security" source="keywords">cyber security</keyword> landscape, through the rise of <keyword id="22423935" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="dark-AI" source="Orion">dark AI</keyword>. Staying on top of your online security is more important than ever. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The rise of dark LLMs" comment="subhead" text="The rise of dark LLMs">The rise of <keyword id="22527261" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dark-LLMs" source="keywords">dark LLMs</keyword></cmsannotation> One of the most sinister adaptations of current AI is the creation of "dark LLMs" (large language models). These uncensored versions of everyday AI systems like ChatGPT are re-engineered for criminal activities. They operate without ethical constraints and with alarming precision and speed. Cyber criminals deploy dark LLMs to automate and enhance <keyword id="20592444" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="phishing-campaigns" source="keywords">phishing campaigns</keyword>, create sophisticated malware and generate scam content. To achieve this, they engage in LLM "jailbreaking" - using prompts to get the model to bypass its built-in safeguards and filters. For instance, <keyword id="20479124" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FraudGPT" source="keywords">FraudGPT</keyword> writes malicious code, creates phishing pages and generates undetectable malware. It offers tools for orchestrating diverse cybercrimes, from credit card fraud to digital impersonation. FraudGPT is advertised on the dark web and the encrypted messaging app Telegram. Its creator openly markets its capabilities, emphasising the model's criminal focus. Another version, <keyword id="18039708" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WormGPT" source="Orion">WormGPT</keyword>, produces persuasive phishing emails that can trick even vigilant users. Based on the GPT-J model, WormGPT is also used for creating malware and launching "business email compromise" attacks - targeted phishing of specific organisations. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What can we do to protect ourselves?" comment="subhead" text="What can we do to protect ourselves?">What can we do to protect ourselves?</cmsannotation> Despite the looming threats, there is a silver lining. As the challenges have advanced, so have the ways we can defend against them. AI-based threat detection tools can monitor malware and respond to cyber attacks more effectively. However, humans need to stay in the mix to keep an eye on how these tools respond, what actions they take, and whether there are vulnerabilities to fix. You may have heard keeping your software up to date is crucial for security. It might feel like a chore, but it really is a critical defence strategy. Updates patch up the vulnerabilities that cyber criminals try to exploit. Are your files and data regularly backed up? It's not just about preserving files in case of a system failure. Regular backups are a fundamental protection strategy. You can reclaim your digital life without caving to extortion if you are targeted by a ransomware attack - when criminals lock up your data and demand a ransom payment before they release it. Cyber criminals who send phishing messages can leave clues like poor grammar, generic greetings, suspicious email addresses, overly urgent requests or suspicious links. Developing an eye for these signs is as essential as locking your door at night. If you don't already use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication, it's time to do so. This combination multiplies your security, making it dramatically more difficult for criminals to access your accounts. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What can we expect in the future?" comment="subhead" text="What can we expect in the future?">What can we expect in the future?</cmsannotation> Our online existence will continue to intertwine with emerging technologies like AI. We can expect more sophisticated cyber crime tools to emerge, too. Malicious AI will enhance phishing, create sophisticated malware and improve data mining for targeted attacks. AI-driven hacking tools will become widely available and customisable. In response, cyber security will have to adapt, too. We can expect automated threat hunting, quantum-resistant encryption, AI tools that help to preserve privacy, stricter regulations and international cooperation. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The role of government regulations" comment="subhead" text="The role of government regulations">The role of government regulations</cmsannotation> Stricter government regulations on AI are one way to counter these advanced threats. This would involve mandating the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies, ensuring they are equipped with robust security features and adhere to stringent standards. In addition to tighter regulations, we also need to improve how organisations respond to cyber incidents and what mechanisms there are for mandatory reporting and public disclosure. By requiring companies to promptly report cyber incidents, authorities can act swiftly. They can mobilise resources to address breaches before they escalate into major crises. This proactive approach can significantly mitigate the impact of cyber attacks, preserving both public trust and corporate integrity. Furthermore, cyber crime knows no borders. In the era of AI-powered cyber crime, international collaboration is essential. Effective global cooperation can streamline how authorities track and prosecute cyber criminals, creating a unified front against cyber threats. As AI-powered malware proliferates, we're at a critical junction in the global tech journey: we need to balance innovation (new AI tools, new features, more data) with security and privacy. Overall, it's best to be proactive about your own online security. That way you can stay one step ahead in the ever-evolving cyber battleground.

Rise of dark AI: Malicious LLMs like FraudGPT, WormGPT the new frontier of online threats! How can we stay safe?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Cybercriminals were paid a record $1.1 billion in crypto ransom in 2023, Chainalysis said. </li><li>Big targets included hospitals, schools, government agencies, and other critical infrastructure. </li></ul>Crypto ransom payments to cyber criminals hit an all-time high of $1.1 billion in 2023, marking a significant turnaround from the decline observed in 2022. Victims were mostly high-profile institutions and critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and government agencies. The amount paid by victims marked a 76.4% increase from 2022, when criminals were paid $567 million in crypto, according to data from Chainalysis released Wednesday. "A major thing we're seeing is the astronomical growth in the number of threat actors carrying out ransomware attacks," Allan Liska, Threat Intelligence Analyst at cybersecurity firm Recorded Future said <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/ransomware-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in the note</a>. Chainalysis attributed the surge of new players to the potential for high profits and lower barriers to entry, emphasizing that their figures represent conservative estimates, and the amount of ransomware attacks is expected to rise as new targets are identified down the road. The record ransom payments in 2023 are a big increase from the prior year when crypto ransomware attacks declined due to factors including cybercriminals' shifting focus from financial gain to political motivations amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the FBI's successful infiltration efforts played a role in thwarting some crimes, Chainalysis said. There were 538 ransomware variants reported in 2023, Recorded Futures said, which points to the rise of new groups. Some big players also carried out fewer attacks but garnered larger payments per attack, the report said. The rise of "ransomware as a service" has also led to an increase in attacks. Using the model, outsiders can use a ransomware program and then pay its creator a cut of the proceeds from the hack. These methods require much less technical know-how on the part of criminals in order to carry out, Chainalysis said. Chainalysis reported previously that <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/north-korean-crypto-hacker-defi-finance-security-cyber-crime-lazarus-2024-1?_gl=1*fxfjf2*_ga*ODAxNTgzMjcxLjE3MDU5NTE2MDY.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTcwNzMxNzEyOS44My4wLjE3MDczMTcxMzAuNTkuMC4w">North Korean-linked</a> hacks of cryptocurrency platforms reached a record high in 2023, though the year also saw a 41% decrease in the amount of crypto stolen by these groups.

Cyber gangs got away with a record $1.1 billion in crypto ransom payments in 2023

The Centre has blocked over 100 websites involved in facilitating organised illegal investments related to economic crimes and task-based part-time job frauds. According to an official statement, these websites were being operated by overseas actors and targets were mostly retired employees, women and unemployed youth looking for part time jobs. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), a wing of the Union Home Ministry, through its vertical National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU) had last week identified and recommended that these websites be blocked. Following this, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), invoking its power under the Information Technology Act, 2000, has blocked these websites, the statement said. These websites, which facilitated task-based organised illegal investment related to economic crimes, were learnt to be operated by overseas actors and were using digital advertisement, chat messengers and mule and rented accounts. The proceeds from the large scale economic frauds were seen to be laundered out of <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> using card network, crypto currency, overseas ATM withdrawals and international Fintech companies, the statement said. The I4C is an initiative of the Home Ministry to deal with cyber crimes in the country in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. <keyword id="6366773" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="citizens" source="Orion">Citizens</keyword> have been advised to promptly report phone numbers and social media handles used by such fraudsters to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the statement said. It said several complaints have been received through 1930 helpline and the NCRP and these offences were posing significant threat to the citizens and also involved data security concerns. These frauds, typically, involve a number of steps that include targeted digital advertisements launched on platforms like Google and Meta using key words like "Ghar baithe job" (Do jobs sitting at home), "Ghar baithe kamai kaise karen" (How to earn by sitting at home) etc. in multiple languages from overseas advertisers. Upon clicking the advertisement, an agent using WhatsApp or Telegram starts conversation with the potential victim, who convinces him or her to perform some tasks like video likes and subscribe, maps rating, etc. Upon completion of task, the victim is given some commission, initially and is asked to invest more to get more returns against given task. After gaining confidence, when victim deposits larger sum, deposits are frozen and thus the victim is duped. As precautionary measure, it is advised to exercise due diligence before investing in any such very high commission paying online schemes sponsored over internet. If an unknown person contacts anyone over WhatsApp or Telegram, refrain from performing financial transactions without verification, the statement said Verify the name of receiver mentioned in UPI App. If receiver is any random person, it may be a mule account and scheme may be fraudulent.Similarly, check the source from where initial commission is received, it said. Citizens should refrain from doing transactions with unknown accounts, as these could be involved in money laundering and even terror financing and lead to blocking of accounts by police and other legal action, the statement said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-november-2023/slidelist/105775116.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-november-2023/slidelist/105775116.cms" target="_blank">WagonR to Creta – Top selling cars in India in November</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-announced-new-flagship-smartphone-oneplus-12-with-up-to-24gb-ram/articleshow/105756057.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-announced-new-flagship-smartphone-oneplus-12-with-up-to-24gb-ram/articleshow/105756057.cms" target="_blank">OnePlus 12 debuts with bigger battery, up to 24GB RAM and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/ola-electric-and-tvs-motor-leading-electric-two-wheeler-sales-in-nov-2023-month/articleshow/105719702.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales rise in Nov as Ola Electric scales a new high</a>

Over 100 websites blocked for facilitating organised illegal investments

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Taiwanese crypto expert is accused of running a $100 million dark web drug market.</li><li>Feds say he operated the drug marketplace and blackmailed its users in its final days.</li></ul>A 23-year-old Taiwanese <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/crypto">crypto</a> expert known for posting his qualifications on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/linkedin">LinkedIn</a>, working at an embassy, and lecturing police officers on cybercrime, may have been leading a questionable double life.Lin Rui-siang stands accused of running a $100 million <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-woman-fbi-dark-web-drug-laboratory-screenplay-research-doj-2023-10">dark web drug market</a>, attempting to blackmail its users, and instructing others on how to evade anti-money-laundering investigators.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/incognito-market-owner-arrested-operating-one-largest-illegal-narcotics-marketplaces">According to the Department of Justice</a>, Lin was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport on Monday, and was charged with engaging in a continuing criminal conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication, and money laundering.Federal prosecutors say that he owned and operated Incognito Market, a dark web drug market selling heroin, cocaine, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-are-the-sacklers-wealth-philanthropy-oxycontin-photos-2019-1">oxycodone, and</a> other illicit substances.According to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wired.com/story/lin-rui-siang-incognito-market/?utm_source=flipboard&amp;utm_content=topic%2Ffbi">WIRED</a>, which was the first to report on this, two months ago Lin led a course for St. Lucia Police titled "Cyber Crime and Cryptocurrency" about how to trace cryptocurrency.In April, the Government of St. Lucia <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Taiwan+sponsors+Cryptocurrency+and+Cybercrime+Training&amp;sca_esv=8d2d5f34a47bd10f&amp;rlz=1C5GCCM_en&amp;sxsrf=ADLYWIK3XwAoD-Ml0bxYwPPSUHuWqOf6dA:1716547508406&amp;source=lnms&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiR7-njjaaGAxU7AHkGHa8FDWIQ0pQJegQIBhAC&amp;biw=1405&amp;bih=1027&amp;dpr=1">published a press release</a> praising the four-day course, sponsored by the Taiwanese government, which it said 30 members of the police force had completed.The press release said Lin had "used his professional background and qualifications in the field" to help the Royal St. Lucia Police Force enhance its cybercrime-fighting abilities.While this likely referred to Lin's role as a diplomatic IT specialist at the Taiwanese embassy, the DoJ alleges that his <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/cybersecurity">cybercrime expertise </a>had more nefarious origins.Since Incognito Market was launched in October 2020 and closed in March of this year, the marketplace sold more than $100 million worth of narcotics, the DoJ said. The DoJ said Lin used the pseudonyms "Pharoah" and "faro."According to the Justice Department, the website had its own "bank" to facilitate transactions, which allowed users to deposit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-cryptocurrency">cryptocurrency.</a>In <a target="_blank" href="https://ecf.nysd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_temp.pl?file=file0.530684903535199.pdf&amp;type=application/pdf">a criminal complaint</a> against Lin, an FBI investigator said customers and vendors used Monero, which uses privacy-enhancing technologies, and bitcoin.The <a target="_blank" href="https://ecf.nysd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_temp.pl?file=file0.184239433185336.pdf&amp;type=application/pdf">indictment</a> claims that Lin closed the drug marketplace in or around March, and that he refused to return money stored in the "bank" to vendors and customers.It also said that he threatened to leak users' transaction history unless they paid a fee.According to the indictment, a message on the website landing page read: "YES, THIS IS AN EXTORTION!!!"WIRED reported that Lin also operated a web service called Antinalysis, which charged users a fee to check whether their crypto could be linked to criminal transactions.The outlet said that "Pharoah" posted on a dark web market forum that its aim was to help users evade anti-money-laundering investigators.If convicted, Lin faces life in prison.The investigation was led by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations, and the New York Police Department."This arrest underscores the dedicated, ongoing efforts of law enforcement to identify and dismantle illicit drug networks operating from every shadowy recess of the marketplace," NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/incognito-market-owner-arrested-operating-one-largest-illegal-narcotics-marketplaces">said</a> in a statement.

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