Latest news with #Cybercrime
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Tech: Microsoft security flaw, record NZ losses from cyber
Cybersecurity expert Tony Grasso joins Kathryn to talk about Microsoft's recent Zero Day security flaw - who was affected and how has the company responded? The latest report into the cost of cybercrime has found the second-highest quarterly financial losses ever, at a cost of $7.8m. But that's just what's been reported. Tony also looks at how South Africa's digital transformation is making it a target for sophisticated cyber criminals and why Latin American organisations are facing an average of 2,700 attacks a month - almost 40% higher than the global average. Tony Grasso is Principal Consultant at cybersecurity firm TitaniumDefence. He worked at GCHQ in the UK and is a former Intelligence Officer in New Zealand. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Mint
22-07-2025
- Mint
₹1 crore gone in credit card fraud run by bank insiders—don't be the next target
A sophisticated credit card scam has rocked Kolkata and this time, the fraud didn't come from some shadowy cybercriminal overseas. It came from inside the bank. Police have busted a racket led by Nafisa Ali, a former bank employee, who, along with a few accomplices, is suspected of siphoning off nearly ₹ 1 crore from unsuspecting customers, reported TOI. Their strategy? Brutally simple and disturbingly effective. The group has been making phone calls to bank clients while posing as legitimate representatives for the last six months. They sounded completely credible because they had real client information, and the insider knowledge of bank processes to sound very genuine. Victims were convinced to provide credit card information. That was all it took, and sometimes within minutes, the gang used this information to hit the credit limit, and make illegitimate transactions. After the fraud was detected, the bank started looking through call logs and transaction patterns, which eventually helped connect them to the person who committed the fraud. As it turns out, this was not some random phishing scam. This was a well planned effort by someone who knew the system. So what does this mean for the rest of us? 1. No real bank asks for OTP, CVV, or PIN over the phone: If someone does, even if they sound polite and convincing—hang up. Then call your bank using the official number on your credit card or their website. 2. Fraudsters rely on urgency: Common red flags might include 'Your card will be blocked' or somewhere else, "Congrats, you've won some cashback, just confirm your OTP". Banks don't pressure or intimidate you into giving them information. 3. Check your SMS and email alerts religiously: Do you have a transaction alert that you don't recognize? Don't ignore it and report it immediately. An insignificant, unrecognizable alert could be the start of something significant. 4. Use credit cards with low limits for online purchases: Many banks allow you to create a new virtual or secondary card with a set limit, and in doing so, any unauthorized access would have limited upset. 5. Keep your mobile device locked and secure: Do not store card information on public computers, use antivirus software, and avoid potentially shady apps. A lot of scams start with hacked phones. 6. Report scams fast—speed matters: After you contact the bank's fraud helpline, report the scam through the Cybercrime portal. The longer you wait increases your chances of losing money. This scam hit people who never imagined they'd fall for one because it didn't look like a scam. It looked like their bank calling. Trust is what made the fraud work. And awareness is what will stop the next one. Stay alert. Stay sceptical. And remember when it comes to money, caution isn't paranoia. It's protection. For all personal finance updates, visit here. Disclaimer: Mint has a tie-up with fin-techs for providing credit, you will need to share your information if you apply. These tie-ups do not influence our editorial content. This article only intends to educate and spread awareness about credit needs like loans, credit cards and credit score. Mint does not promote or encourage taking credit as it comes with a set of risks such as high interest rates, hidden charges, etc. We advise investors to discuss with certified experts before taking any credit.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- The Hindu
Man arrested in Mangaluru for cheating people of over ₹32 cr
Mangaluru city police on Thursday arrested a 43-year-old man on charges of cheating several people of over ₹32 crores under the pretext of paying stamp duty towards easy loans he promised to them. City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy identified the accused as Roshan Saldanha, a resident of Bollagudda in Bajal, in the city. The arrest was made in connection with two cases of 'criminal breach of trust and cheating' registered by the Cybercrime, Economic Offences, and Narcotics (CEN) Police Station of the Commissionerate. CEN Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravish S. Naik led the operation under the guidance of Mr. Reddy. With the CEN police, upon a tip-off, raided the house of the accused on Thursday evening and caught him at a concealed room in his house, the Commissioner said. During the investigation, police found that Saldanha had cheated entrepreneurs from Goa, Bengaluru, Pune, Tumakuru, Kolkata, Sangli, Lucknow, and Bagalakote, among others, to the tune of ₹32 crore. After receiving 'stamp duty' from the victims, the accused reportedly remained incommunicado with them. Excise Act Mr. Reddy stated that the accused led a lavish life in his palatial house, which was equipped with high-end furniture, fixtures, and electronic items. Saldanha also had a private bar with a collection of foreign and Indian-made foreign liquor, he said. During the raid, the police seized liquor worth ₹6.72 lakh, several documents, signed blank cheques, 667 grams of gold jewellery, a diamond ring worth approximately ₹2.75 crore, and other items. The Commissioner said the Excise Department would register a separate case under the Excise Act against Saldanha for possessing liquor in excess of the permissible quantity. Saldanha faces cheating cases in Chitradurga, Mumbai, and other places across the country, which can be ascertained after a thorough investigation.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- The Hindu
Homemaker loses over ₹3 crore to online fraudsters who threatened arrest of her husband
A homemaker in Mangaluru lost over ₹3 crore in an online fraud over 20 days this June after cybercrooks threatened her that her husband will be arrested for making fraud calls and sending suspicious links to public. The complainant told the Mangaluru City Cybercrime, Economic Offences and Narcotics police that she received a call on June 5 from an unknown person claiming to be an inspector with the National Crime Records Bureau. He told the complainant that her husband had bought a new SIM card and made fraud calls as well as sent suspicious links to the public. The call was then transferred to the Sahar police station where one 'Inspector Mohan Kumar' spoke to the complainant and got her personal details. Later, the call was transferred to 'Public Prosecutor Deepak Venkataramana' who obtained her bank account details on the pretext of examining the accounts. Asking her to send money, the caller threatened her with the arrest of her husband and told her not to reveal the issue to anyone. Accordingly, the complainant transferred ₹3,16,52,142 in a phased manner from June 10 to 27 to different accounts. When the woman did not receive any further call or message from the accused, she informed her children. The CEN police have registered a case and are investigating. Resident loses ₹6.5 lakh A resident in Mangaluru Rural police station limits lost ₹6,50,801 in an 'online task' fraud during the last week of June. He was given a part-time job from home on WhatsApp and on responding, the complainant was given different tasks to perform. On performing the given tasks, he was paid meagre amounts and was asked to pay higher amounts in return for higher payable tasks. Accordingly, the complainant paid the money on June 25 and 26 to different bank accounts only to realise that he has been cheated. The Mangaluru Rural police have registered a case and are investigating. Medical job scam A medical professional in Kankanady Town police limits was cheated to the tune of ₹4,20,062 in the guise of a job offer in a Dubai hospital between June 6 and 17. One Sangeetha called the complainant over phone about an opening in the hospital on June 6 and mailed the details. Later, the complainant was asked to pay for registration, profile verification, DHA license, NOC etc., and the complainant paid all the amount. When the accused further demanded ₹2.62 lakh, the complainant grew suspicious and informed the police. The Kankanady Town Police have registered a case and are investigating.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Time of India
Woman loses gold in online astrology scam
Haveri: In an unprecedented cyberfraud case in Haveri, a 23-year-old pharmacist fell victim to an elaborate scam, losing gold ornaments worth Rs 15 lakh to an online gang. The young woman, who completed her B Pharma and works at a private hospital in Haveri, was deceived by fraudsters posing as astrologers. The case was registered at the Cybercrime, Economic Offences and Narcotics (CEN) police station in Haveri. The victim surrendered gold ornaments weighing 165gms between March 23 and June 9, 2025, before approaching the CEN. The authorities then registered a complaint and initiated investigation. SR Ganachari, circle inspector, said that the victim discovered an advertisement for Astrotalk mobile app on her Instagram profile, which offered astrological services. She contacted the suspects through the app and discussed her concerns via text messages. The fraudsters sent her a yantra, along with vermillion and other items, after receiving payment online. Subsequently, a person identifying himself as Ganesh Shastri contacted her, warning that she would encounter serious life problems. When the victim sought solutions, the suspect suggested a special puja at their ashrama in Mysuru. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologist: Just Add 1 Drop Of This Household Item To Any Dark Spot And Wait 3 Minutes Undo Ganesh Shastri instructed her to provide all gold ornaments for the ritual and arranged for his associates to collect them in Haveri. The woman gathered all the gold ornaments from her parents and without their knowledge she handed these over to the suspect's associates, Chandan and Guru, at the Haveri bus terminal. The associates maintained contact for three days before their mobile numbers became unreachable. The incident came to light after 15 days when her parents discovered the missing ornaments. The victim then disclosed the entire incident to her parents and filed an FIR with their support.
