Latest news with #CyberCrimeUnit
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Time of India
No Ethics Here: Hacker Drives Trading Scam
New Delhi: For an ' ethical hacker ' who completed a course from an Indian Institute of Technology, Girish Pandey could have had a brighter future. Instead, he allegedly teamed up with his friend Avinash, a physics graduate, and started working for a Cambodia-based international cybercrime network having Chinese handlers. In the past few months, their accounts were credited with more than Rs 5 crore -- mostly the proceeds of crime, according to police. Their run was short-lived, however, as cops tracked them down and busted their module. The duo was arrested along with three others, including the alleged conduit between cybercriminals and the Cambodia-based kingpins. Confirming the arrests, special commissioner Ravindra Yadav said efforts were underway to identify and nab more members of the network. The accused were allegedly involved in a fake stock trading scheme , duping victims through WhatsApp and other chat platforms. The group came under the scanner after a resident of Karawal Nagar complained that he was duped of Rs 32 lakh through an investment fraud scheme, following which the Cyber Crime Unit of Northeast Delhi district started analysing his bank transactions. The accused were subsequently arrested during raids in Delhi, Aligarh, Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand), Basti and Kanpur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo They were identified as Pandey (31), Suraj Chaudhary (26), Vicky Bora (27), Avinash Kumar (34) and Makkhan (32). Police seized two mobile phones, bank records and digital evidence, uncovering a money trail of over Rs 5 crore. Revealing their modus operandi, the accused told police they would add potential targets to fake advisory groups and collect money through fake companies, cooperative banks, offline RTGS and cryptocurrency (USDT). The victims would be lured into investing in Indian as well as US stocks and IPOs through a fake platform, and promised huge profits. Initially, the victims were shown profits, but later, when they demanded their money back, their accounts would be frozen, citing 'penalties', and they would be forced to invest more. The investigation revealed international connections, with Chinese operators and Cambodian associates involved in the transactions, said police. "Chaudhary provided an IDFC bank account to Bora for a 10% commission, while Bora was the mastermind linked to Chinese operator 'Nio' and coordinating with a Cambodian network. Pandey was involved in money laundering through a fake company, Travelese Bird Technology Pvt Ltd. Kumar was a partner in transactions worth Rs 9 lakh while Makkhan was an intermediary between shell account holders in India and Cambodia," a senior police officer said.
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Hans India
Beware of malicious links in guise of Indo-Pak conflict updates, warn cops
Hyderabad: The city Cyber Crime Unit issued a social advisory and asked people to be cautious of phishing links disguised as Indo-Pak news. People have been requested to stop sharing videos and photos of armed forces in the wake of tensions between India and Pakistan. The police officials of Cyber Crime wing alerted the public about a recent surge in malicious content spreading rapidly through WhatsApp, email, and Social Media platforms with respect to the Indo-Pak conflict. This content includes deceptive videos,images,'.exe/.apk' files and phishing links disguised as news or updates related to the ongoing Indo-Pak conflict. The officials said that the cybercriminals were circulating malicious content under the pretext of exclusive updates, conflict-related visuals, or leaked footage, with many of these materials carrying malware, spyware, or links to phishing websites. This content can be in the form of links or even photographs sent from unknown numbers or forwarded in Whatsapp / Telegram / other social media groups. Fact checkers can be used to avoid forwarding or downloading sensitive fake news. Be wary of messages or posts claiming to show sensitive or exclusive news on Indo-Pak conflicts, police said, appealing people to not open or forward suspicious videos, images, or links received through WhatsApp, email, or social media, even if sent by known contacts and urged to never download or click on links shared via social media without verification. Police also cautioned people to avoid sharing unverified content, especially during sensitive geopolitical events and verify information through official government websites and official handles.
STV News
30-04-2025
- Business
- STV News
Met Police investigating M&S cyber attack as online shopping still suspended
Detectives from the Met Police's Cyber Crime Unit are investigating the cyber attack on Marks & Spencer, which has halted online shopping and left some store shelves empty. Online shopping at the high street retailer is still down after a cyber attack that hit over Easter Weekend, and gift card use is also disrupted. Since the problems began, the company's stock market value has dropped by more than £700 million. In a statement on Wednesday, the Met said: 'We were called on Wednesday, 23 April regarding a cyber-incident at Marks & Spencer. Detectives from the Met's Cyber Crime Unit are investigating. Enquiries continue.' The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has also confirmed to ITV News that it is 'working with Marks & Spencer to support their response to the cyber incident.' Reports surfaced on Tuesday that a shadowy cyber group, known as Scattered Spider, was behind the attack. The group is infamous for targeting large companies and stealing their data. Hackers are believed to have accessed M&S systems through a Microsoft product called Active Directory, which allows users to log in once and access all systems. Cybersecurity expert Professor Alan Woodward told ITV News that the attackers may have extracted a file containing passwords, though they likely couldn't retrieve the passwords themselves. However, gaining such access could allow them to disrupt the network. M&S has not provided a timeline for when normal services will resume and has refused to update on the cyber attack. The disruption is ongoing, with reports that the retailer has told agency staff at its East Midlands distribution centre not to report for work and locked out all remote employees from their IT systems. ITV News understands that several stores and online Ocado orders are facing product shortages due to continued distribution problems. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
ITV News
30-04-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Met Police investigating M&S cyber attack as online shopping still suspended
Detectives from the Met Police's Cyber Crime Unit are investigating the cyber attack on Marks & Spencer, which has halted online shopping and left some store shelves empty. Online shopping at the high street retailer is still down after Friday's cyber attack, and gift card use is also disrupted. Since the problems began, the company's stock market value has dropped by more than £700 million. In a statement on Wednesday, the Met said: "We were called on Wednesday, 23 April regarding a cyber-incident at Marks & Spencer. Detectives from the Met's Cyber Crime Unit are investigating. Enquiries continue." The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has also confirmed to ITV News that it is "working with Marks & Spencer to support their response to the cyber incident." Reports surfaced on Tuesday that a shadowy cyber group, known as Scattered Spider, was behind the attack. The group is infamous for targeting large companies and stealing their data. Hackers are believed to have accessed M&S systems through a Microsoft product called Active Directory, which allows users to log in once and access all systems. Cybersecurity expert Professor Alan Woodward told ITV News that the attackers may have extracted a file containing passwords, though they likely couldn't retrieve the passwords themselves. However, gaining such access could allow them to disrupt the network. M&S has not provided a timeline for when normal services will resume and has refused to update on the cyber attack. The disruption is ongoing, with reports that the retailer has told agency staff at its East Midlands distribution centre not to report for work and locked out all remote employees from their IT systems. ITV News understands that several stores and online Ocado orders are facing product shortages due to continued distribution problems.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Cyber fraudster jailed over creating scam websites for 2,000 criminals
A 23-year-old cyber fraudster who made scam websites for more than 2,000 criminals has been jailed after an international Met Police-led investigation. Zak Coyne, 23, of Woodbine Road, Huddersfield, ran the LabHost service creating bespoke phishing websites designed to trick victims into revealing personal data such as email addresses, passwords and bank details. The service was set up by a criminal cyber organisation, and for a membership fee, users could log on and choose from existing sites or request bespoke pages replicating trusted brands, including banks, healthcare agencies and postal services. This was used by over 2,000 criminals on victims all over the world and resulted in over £100 million in losses for victims. The platform was taken down in April 2024 by the Met's Cyber Crime Unit who were working on the investigation with partners across the country, including the National Crime Agency and Microsoft. In the same month, the Met arrested 24 suspects, targeting the most prolific offenders within the LabHost service, while over 70 addresses were searched. READ MORE: Shoppers 'hit the jackpot' thanks to Ninja air fryer that feeds 8 - now under £200 READ MORE: Met Police officer said rape victim 'just got raw dogged in a park by two blokes and regrets it' Coyne admitted his crimes at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday, September 18. These included making or supplying articles for use in frauds, encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence believing it would be committed, and transferring criminal property. He was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, 14 April. Officers safeguarded victims by establishing a helpline, directing people to protected advice on the Met website, and securing compromised accounts. Specially trained officers offered personalised advice, including how to further protect victims' data, and ensuring every case was reported to both Action Fraud and UK Finance. Thomas Short, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Zak Coyne operated a phishing service that provided fraudsters with the tools to impersonate trusted institutions and steal sensitive information from unsuspecting victims. 'This was a sophisticated worldwide criminal enterprise which enabled others to perpetrate fraud on a massive scale, resulting in losses totalling more than £100 million. Fraud is far from a victimless crime and the harm caused by Coyne's offending are measured not just in monetary terms, but also in the distress inflicted on countless victims who fell prey to these scams. 'This was a complex case, but the prosecution team, together with law enforcement partners, was able to unravel an intricate web of digital evidence which linked Coyne to the offending and build a strong case against him, resulting in his guilty pleas.' The Met has issued ten golden rules to help people protect themselves from fraud: Be suspicious of all 'too good to be true' offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes. Don't agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice before making a decision. Don't hand over money or sign anything until you've checked someone's credentials and their company's. Never send money to anyone you don't know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you're not comfortable with. Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don't know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it. Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email. Don't just rely on glowing testimonials. Find solid, independent evidence of a company's success. Always get independent or legal advice if an offer involves money, time or commitment. If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help. Don't be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there's no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you'll make it more difficult for them to deceive others. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report to Action Fraud at or call 0300 123 2040. Remember that if you're a victim of a scam or an attempted scam, however minor, there may be hundreds or thousands of others in a similar position. Your information may form part of one big jigsaw and be vital to completing the picture. Get the top stories from across London directly to your inbox. Sign up for MyLondon's Daily Newsletter HERE to get the biggest stories every day
