The Top Ten cyber crime news summaries on The420 are meticulously curated by Future Crime Researchers from the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF) and powered by Algoritha Security Pvt. Ltd. These summaries feature the most critical cyber crime developments from around the world. Keep reading—and stay safe.
1. Government Employee Falls Victim to ₹3.92 Lakh Cyber Fraud via Malicious APK File
A 59-year-old government employee in Hyderabad lost ₹3.92 lakh after installing a malicious APK sent by a scammer impersonating a bank manager. The fraudster gained remote access to his phone and siphoned off the money. Cybercrime officials have urged the public to avoid unknown apps and report suspicious activity immediately.
2. Surat Senior Citizen Loses ₹16 Lakh in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam; Former International Basketball Player Among Three Arrested
A senior citizen in Surat lost ₹16.65 lakh in a “digital arrest” scam after fraudsters posing as Delhi Police accused him of money laundering via video call. Coerced into transferring funds, the victim later alerted police. Three suspects, including a 22-year-old basketball player, were arrested with cases across 18 states.
3. Chandigarh Rapido Driver Duped in Fake ‘Hospital Emergency’ Call, Loses Thousands
A Rapido driver in Chandigarh lost ₹4,000 in a QR code scam after a passenger tricked him with a fake story about his wife’s hospitalization. Sharing his experience on Reddit, the driver sparked online support, with users advising him to report the fraud on the Cyber Crime Portal for investigation.
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4. ₹8.90 Crore Cyber Fraud Busted in Kakinada; Major Racket Unearthed in Andhra Pradesh
Kakinada police uncovered a ₹8.90 crore cyber fraud involving 48 bank accounts and arrested three suspects. District SP revealed the gang was orchestrated by a man based in Dubai. Efforts are ongoing to nab him as investigations into the massive scam continue.
5. Colaba Senior Woman Defrauded of ₹19 Lakh in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam; One Arrested in High-Profile Case
A 70-year-old Colaba woman lost ₹19 lakh in a “digital arrest” scam after fraudsters linked her Aadhaar to a fake ₹200 crore money laundering case. Posing as Delhi Crime Branch officers, they coerced her via video call. Police arrested prime accused from Antop Hill, who received the funds.
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6. Ransomware Gangs Embrace Skitnet Malware to Boost Attack Efficiency
Skitnet malware, also known as Bossnet, has become a favored tool for ransomware gangs in 2025, enhancing their operational efficiency. First promoted by threat actor LARVA-306 in April 2024, its use surged after Operation Endgame disrupted major botnets like QakBot and IcedID, prompting cybercriminals to seek new alternatives.
7. Cyber Extortionist Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Digital Blackmail
In a landmark ruling under South Africa’s Cyber Crimes Act, Lucky Erasmus, 36, was sentenced to eight years (three suspended) for cyber fraud, data theft, and attempted extortion. A former Ecentric employee, Erasmus unlawfully accessed systems in 2023, triggering a ransom threat to the company’s CEO over stolen data.
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8. Scammers Defraud HMRC of £47 Million in Highly Sophisticated Phishing Scheme
Scammers impersonating legitimate taxpayers defrauded the UK’s HMRC of £47 million through fake tax rebate claims. However, the British tax authority successfully blocked an additional £1.9 billion in attempted fraud. The incident highlights growing concerns over sophisticated phishing schemes targeting public finances and the need for stronger digital safeguards.
9. APT41 Exploits Google Calendar for Malware Command-and-Control in State-Sponsored Attacks
Chinese state-backed hacker group APT41, also known as Wicked Panda and BARIUM, has exploited Google Calendar as a command-and-control (C2) channel in an attack on a Taiwanese government site. Active since 2012, APT41 combines espionage and financial motives, targeting global sectors like healthcare, telecom, software, and government agencies.
10. OpenAI Cracks Down on ChatGPT Accounts Involved in Malware Distribution
OpenAI has shut down ten ChatGPT accounts linked to state-sponsored threat actors from China, Russia, and Iran, used in cybercrime operations. These accounts supported espionage, social engineering, and influence campaigns. OpenAI’s AI-assisted detection disrupted activities across platforms like TikTok, X, Reddit, and Facebook, according to its latest blog post.
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