Online scam News, Tips, Tricks & Ideas

Over the last few months, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapid. The world's biggest tech companies have made efforts to incorporate this technology into their suite of products, making the user experience a lot more convenient. However, the rapid advancements in AI have also given rise to AI scams. Yes, even the cybercriminals have jumped on the AI bandwagon. There have been several instances where threat actors have defrauded the victim by using deepfakes or fake voices. And now shocking details have emerged of  a Lucknow man who was defrauded of Rs. 45000 when he was targeted using a fake AI-generated voice of a relative. Know what happened in this AI voice scam.

Artificial intelligence, while promising, is now being exploited by criminals to deceive unsuspecting phone users. With AI, voices can be cloned rapidly, leading to convincing replicas used to swindle money or sensitive information from friends and family.

The advancement in technology, while making our lives easier, has also given rise to a new type of threat - cyber threat. Threat actors are committing fraud using the latest means such as QR codes and artificial intelligence (AI). The ICICI Bank has issued an advisory, urging citizens to be vigilant of a scam involving malicious files and links that could drain their bank accounts, dealing them financial blows.

With the increase in online scams across India, one particular category of scams that has picked up recently is the FedEx courier scam. Bengaluru city police reportedly had registered 335 cyber fraud cases related to the FedEx courier scam in 2023. And what's surprising is that people well-versed with the internet are getting scammed. The FedEx courier scam starts with an IVR phone call from an unknown number that claims, “Your Fedex Package Has Been Blocked…Press 1”. Anyone who gets lured by the FedEx package and continues with the phone call gets scammed by paying lakhs in the form of “fines”. According to a report by The Indian Express, a 70-year-old journalist in Bengaluru recently fell for this scam and lost ₹1.20 crore. 

If you happen to get a WhatsApp call from any unknown number and someone claims to be a government official from the Department of Telecommunications then take note that it could be a scammer trying to steal your personal data. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, has issued an advisory to Indians citizens that calls are being received by the citizens wherein callers, in the name of DoT, are threatening that all of their mobile numbers would be disconnected or their mobile numbers are being misused in some illegal activities. 

Bitcoin fraud: Cryptocurrency market is at best a volatile arena and at worst, often, it a fraudsters' paradise that stretches well beyond the segment itself and spans the wider web where fraudsters deploy ingenious methodologies to entrap and fleece users of their money via online scams. Having said that, Bitcoin itself has been doing rather well in recent months, having hit rock bottom and then climbing back up. Bloomberg reports that Bitcoin price rose 3% to break above $45,000 on January 2 and that was the for the first time since April 2022. Yes, the world's biggest and best-known cryptocurrency started 2024 with a bang. Bitcoin rose to touch a 21-month high of $45,386 earlier in the day. Ether, the coin linked to the ethereum blockchain network, was 1% higher at $2,376. U-turns in fortune like these drive cybercriminals to lure people into their net and that is what has just happened to this woman.

2023 has been nothing short of a nightmare for security researchers. While the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have increased productivity and helped users in their day-to-day lives, the technology has also been misused by threat actors to defraud people and carry out other illicit activities. There have been many instances of hackers masquerading as eminent persons in videos. In a recent case, a deepfake video surfaced on YouTube, showing the fake CEO of Ripple convincing people to double their crypto investments. Know all about it.

In a troubling trend spanning the past year, cybercriminals have orchestrated a series of phishing scams to pilfer millions of dollars in cryptocurrency assets via deceptive ads on major platforms, including Google and X. Uncovered by cybersecurity experts at ScamSniffer, these scammers are employing a sinister tool known as 'wallet drainers' to carry out their nefarious schemes in phishing scams.

In a decisive move against Chinese-websites operated financial fraud, India has initiated the banning process for more than 100 investment scam websites. These websites, resembling Indian entities on the surface, targeted vulnerable Indian citizens with schemes that are quite similar to predatory loan apps, which also originated from China. While the facade of these investment scam sites appeared Indian, the funds ultimately found their way to Chinese operators. The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to block these fraudulent websites.

Eleven global tech giants have pledged to do more to tackle the scourge of online scammers, the UK government said on Thursday, billing the promise as a world first. Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, Match Group, Microsoft, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube have signed up to the Online Fraud Charter, which ministers say will better protect users.

Online scams are rising phenomenally, and some experts believe that it is about to explode even further. According to a report by Scamwatch, an online scam-monitoring website, a total of 257,392 cases have been reported by October 2023, marking a sharp increase from 2022's 239,237 cases. Cybercriminals have begun taking the help of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to start campaigns at a much faster rate and they are making their fake claims much more believable, indicating they will easily fool the victim with their nefarious tactics. Earlier, this was a huge problem for cybercriminals.

In this digital era, cybersecurity is a big issue. The world's biggest tech companies spend a fortune developing cybersecurity solutions that help users stay safe from online scams and fraud. Threat actors employ nefarious means to steal people's personal information which can potentially be used to deal a financial blow to the victim. The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have played a hand in this too. While this technology has the potential to ease the workload by automation, AI has also been used to develop deepfakes that threaten your digital presence. In July, a Kerala man was duped of Rs. 40000 using an AI-based fake video call on WhatsApp. In this scenario, staying safe is important and we provide to you here 5 top cybersecurity tips.

In these, post-Covid days, we are heavily reliant on calling customer care services for every small query or problem. However, when looking for the customer care number, we often do a peremptory Google Search and dial the first number that appears on the list without giving it a second thought. It proved costly for a doctor who was caught up in an online cab refund scam. In a hurry, a Delhi doctor fell into a trap laid down by these criminals while trying to connect to the cab service customer care, which he found online. In the shocking event, the man, named Pradeep Chowdhury, lost over Rs. 4.9 lakh while asking for a refund due to the overcharging by the cab driver. Check out how the case took place.

In the ever-evolving landscape of online scams in India, perpetrators are adopting increasingly innovative tactics to exploit unsuspecting victims. While scams like job fraud on messaging platforms and the imposter army officer scheme have gained attention, a new form of deception, the courier delivery scam has been quietly infiltrating the scene. The big point to pay attention to is that the scam started with just a Rs. 5 payment

Getting a call from a friend in need is something we all want to help with, especially if their family member is in the hospital. But what if that call turns out to be a scary scam? That's what happened to Radhakrishan P S, a former Coal India executive who lost Rs. 40000 in a deepfake scam. Considering the progress these cybercriminals have made with the help of AI tools, you too may be targetted and therefore, there is an urgent need to stay vigilant. Know what happened and how to protect yourself.

In a new development, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Sunday issued a ban on Mahadev Book Online and 21 other betting apps. This move comes after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a probe following the raids on the unlawful operations of the betting app Mahadev Book Online, as well as the subsequent betting syndicate. Here's everything that you need to know.

In recent times, India has faced an alarming rise in cybercrime, with cybercriminals continuously developing new and innovative methods to deceive unsuspecting citizens. Among these tactics, the proliferation of fake e-challan scams has become a serious concern. These scams prey on individuals' fear of traffic violations, demanding payments for offenses that never occurred. The Information Security Awareness (ISEA) by MeitY has issued a warning about this growing threat.

In a shocking incident, a man was conned by cybercriminals during an attempt to recharge his FasTag account, resulting in a substantial loss of ₹2.4 lakh. This case underscores the critical need for vigilance when accessing customer support for online services.

Stanford University said on Friday that it is investigating a cybersecurity incident that struck its Department of Public Safety.

In a recent case of online fraud, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken action against a man from Ahmedabad who swindled a US citizen by pretending to be a senior executive from a big company's fraud department. It is alleged that Ramavat Shaishav used fake identities to deceive the victim to part with their cryptocurrency.

In a shocking turn of events, the former Union minister for Communications and Information Technology and the sitting DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran said that cyber criminals stole Rs. 99999 from his personal savings account in Axis Bank through an online banking scam. Strangely, the scam “bypassed all normal safety protocols” as per Maran, as no OTP, a basic safety guard for online transactions via net banking, was generated by the bank. A complaint regarding this has been registered with the Cyber Crime Wing of the Greater Chennai City Police.

In a concerning revelation, cybersecurity researchers have unearthed a growing trend among cybercriminals who are ingeniously merging the sinister world of voice phishing (vishing) with One-Time Password (OTP) grabber services to amplify their illicit activities. The findings, detailed in a report by CloudSEK, a cybersecurity firm, have shed light on an evolving threat landscape.

The Special Task Force of Odisha crime branch on Friday claimed to have arrested one more accused in the one-time password-sharing scam with alleged links to Pakistan Intelligence operatives, it said in a statement.

In a distressing incident, a 33-year-old man from Koparkhairane in Navi Mumbai fell victim to a horrifying WhatsApp scam, losing a whopping Rs. 43.45 lakh to fraudsters. They promised him big money for doing online tasks, but it turned out to be a cruel hoax.

In a recent case of online job scam, a young engineering graduate named K Harshavardhan from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, lost a staggering Rs. 20 lakh while searching for employment. Harshavardhan had just completed his engineering degree and was eager to kickstart his career. He turned to the internet for job opportunities and joined a Telegram group called "Developer Professionals" on the advice of his friend Krishna Chaitanya Reddy. This group claimed to help young people find software jobs.

An IT professional from Maharashtra's Nagpur allegedly lost ₹42.55 lakh to an online "task fraud", wherein cyber fraudsters lured him to perform various tasks to make money, police said on Saturday.

In a concerning surge of like-and-share scams, two software engineers in Pune fell victim to cyber criminals while attempting to get some extra income. These unfortunate events unfolded between August 23 and 30, leaving the two techies from Hinjewadi, shaken and short of cash.

Indian American Manoj Yadav faces wire fraud charges for a technical support scam that victimized over 7,000 individuals, defrauding them of $13 million. Yadav deceived victims into believing they were dealing with a legitimate tech support company affiliated with a major IT firm. The FBI underscores the seriousness of this issue as it has a potential 20-year prison term and hefty fines. FBI highlighted the fact that tech support scam threat has increased hugely. Check out the key highlights of the case as revealed by PTI.

In recent times, there has been a significant increase in online scams in India. People are getting caught up in the tricks of fraudsters, losing their money to intricate and flawlessly executed online scams. Many fall for the promise of easy earnings by taking up part-time jobs or completing tasks online. Scammers often reach out through WhatsApp, offering a chance to make money from home.

Instagram is one of the most exciting social media destinations for people across the world. However, it is also the place where even one click can lead users to lose huge amounts of money and data. So, if you want to protect yourself and the ones you love, just check out how to do so. And, as a warning, read the case of this poor woman who lost a huge amount.

A 26-year-old woman from Nagpur lost ₹2.4 lakh after falling prey to cyber fraud, an official said on Saturday.

In recent times, India has witnessed a surge in online scams, leaving many innocent individuals facing financial losses. Common scams include YouTube video likes, Telegram-assigned tasks, and deceptive work-from-home job offers. Now, a new kind of scam has emerged, affecting those who frequently order food from delivery apps.

Phishing refers to a tactic employed by criminals who use fraudulent emails, text messages, or calls to deceive individuals and thereby steal their money and other financial information. The ultimate goal often involves luring victims into visiting a website, which can then lead to downloading malicious software onto their computers or the theft of sensitive personal data, such as bank details. These phishing messages are carefully crafted to persuade recipients to click on seemingly legitimate links, although they are actually designed to deceive. These deceptive practices can result in significant financial loss.

A 78-year-old man, M. Mohammed Basheer of Kozhikode Vandipetta, attempted to cancel an IRCTC ticket, but fell prey to a cunning scam, resulting in a loss of ₹4 lakhs. Basheer unknowingly accessed a fake website where a person posing as a railway employee reached out to him.

In the digital age, safeguarding your personal data has never been more critical as there is so much more to lose, from money to private photos and other data. But did you know that, among the most vulnerable pieces of information is your phone number, especially when it comes to online scams. Here's a proactive strategy to ensure that your phone number stays out of the wrong hands.

Online scammers are taking advantage of the popularity of the Barbie movie to trick people. With so many consumers searching for Barbie-related items on the internet, cybercriminals have come up with new ways to deceive unsuspecting victims.

After complaints from a student and businessman were filed about a WhatsApp account hacking fraud, the Kolkata Police have warned the general public to be more careful when they are online. These scammers have come up with new tricks and the growing number of cyber scams has now become a big concern. In the digital age, it is increasingly difficult to identify if we are being scammed or if someone is watching us through our devices or whether they are planning to steal our money.

With the increasing numbers of smartphones and easy access to the internet, the trend of online gaming in India has witnessed a tremendous surge. From casual entertainment to real-life money-making opportunities, online games have captured the attention of millions. The country had a staggering 421 million online gamers last year, a clear indication of the immense potential of the gaming market and the growing fascination with online gaming not just for the youths, but also mature adults.

India is facing a growing threat from cybercriminals who exploit virtual numbers with the +92 country code, often associated with Pakistan, to carry out fraudulent activities. Recently, a new online scam has emerged, where scammers impersonate the so-called 'Bhai' from Dubai, enticing unsuspecting individuals with promises of attractive rewards like a free iPhone 14. One such victim, Virag Doshi, a 24-year-old businessman from Ahmedabad, fell prey to this deceitful scheme.