Rising Cyber Threats: A Global Wake-Up Call
Cybercrime is on the rise, targeting individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide. From financial scams to state-sponsored cyberattacks, recent incidents highlight the urgent need for enhanced digital security and awareness.
Personal Cyber Fraud: Influencers like Akanksha Thakral have fallen victim to sophisticated scams, losing significant sums through fraudulent KYC verification calls. AI-powered cyber scams, such as fake celebrity endorsements, are also deceiving users into financial traps.
Organized Cybercrime: Authorities have cracked down on fake call centers operating in India, scamming NRIs and foreign citizens. Over 63 arrests were made in Hyderabad for impersonating PayPal representatives.
Government & Institutional Breaches: Cyberattacks have targeted the U.S. Treasury Department, exposing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. The Delhi Government is launching a cybersecurity audit to secure its IT systems, while Kolkata Police is restructuring its cyber cell to combat growing e-frauds.
Key Takeaways
✔ Stay Vigilant – Avoid clicking on suspicious links and verify sources before sharing sensitive data.
✔ Strengthen Cybersecurity – Businesses and governments must enforce stronger security protocols and vendor checks.
✔ Global Cooperation Needed – State-sponsored cyberattacks require international collaboration to mitigate risks.
With cyber threats becoming more advanced, awareness and proactive measures are essential to ensuring a secure digital landscape.
Cybersecurity Weekly Newsletter
Date: March 6, 2025 - March 11, 2025
1️⃣Influencer Akanksha Thakral Scammed in Cyber Fraud
Social media influencer Akanksha Thakral lost ₹1,10,000 in a cyber scam after responding to a fraudulent call from someone posing as an Axis Bank official. The scammer tricked her into clicking a fake KYC update link, which installed a message spoofing app on her phone, granting access to her financial details. Despite her efforts to secure her account, funds were withdrawn rapidly.
Thakral expressed frustration over the lack of police support and shared her experience in a viral video, warning others against clicking suspicious links. This incident highlights the growing risk of online fraud and the need for vigilance.
2️⃣ Telangana Cyber Fraud Bust: 63 Arrested in Fake Call Centre Raid
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) dismantled a fraudulent call centre in Hyderabad’s HiTec City, arresting 63 individuals linked to scams targeting NRIs and US citizens. Operated by Exito Solutions since January 2025, employees posing as PayPal representatives tricked victims into revealing banking details.
The
scammers, led by Kaivan Patel and his associates, used advanced software and
mule bank accounts to launder money into cryptocurrency. Authorities seized
mobile phones, laptops, and fake IDs during the raid. Investigations are
ongoing in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate and Telecom Department.
Read more :
3️⃣ Tamil Nadu Cyber Police Warns Against
AI-Powered Celebrity Scams
Cybercriminals are using AI-generated fake ads featuring celebrities like Shreya Ghoshal to deceive users into fraudulent financial schemes. The Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing, led by Dr. Sandeep Mittal, has flagged verified but low-follower X accounts promoting these scams. Victims are redirected to scam websites or WhatsApp groups, where they are tricked into financial transactions.
Shreya
Ghoshal’s own X account was hacked on February 13, further highlighting the
risks of social media fraud. Authorities urge users to verify sources, avoid
suspicious investment schemes, and report fraudulent activity. Stay alert and
protect yourself from AI-powered cyber scams!
Read more
4️⃣ Kolkata Police to Strengthen Cyber Cell to Combat Rising E-Frauds
Amid a surge in cybercrimes, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma has announced key reforms to the city's cyber cell. The plan includes appointing a Joint CP Cyber and Joint CP Legal to streamline fund recovery and improve coordination with interstate agencies.
The cyber cell will be divided into specialized units, including branches for Cyber Fraud Recovery, Cyber Forensics, and Cyber Security, operating under the chief of detectives. The initiative aims to ensure faster fund recovery for victims and enhance cybercrime investigations. Approval is expected in the upcoming cabinet meeting.
Read more5️⃣ Delhi Government to Conduct Cybersecurity Audit Amid Rising Threats
To safeguard its IT infrastructure from cyber threats, the Delhi government has announced a comprehensive cybersecurity audit of its systems. A CERT-In empanelled agency will be engaged to identify vulnerabilities, implement security measures, and establish a robust firewall over the next three years.
With the government's shift to a fully online system for public services and records, risks such as authentication bypass, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting have increased. The audit will categorize vulnerabilities by severity, ensure fixes, and issue 'safe to host' certificates before systems go live. Nearly 180 government websites will be assessed to enhance security.
Read more6️⃣ U.S. Treasury Department Hit by State-Linked Cyberattack
Enhancing Cloud Security Posture
The U.S. Treasury Department has confirmed a major cybersecurity breach in December 2024, allegedly carried out by Chinese state-backed hackers. The attackers exploited vulnerabilities in BeyondTrust, a third-party cybersecurity vendor, to access employee workstations and unclassified documents.
This breach is part of a broader trend of state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting U.S. telecom firms, political figures, and law enforcement databases, with similar incidents reported in the U.K. and New Zealand. Hacker groups like Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon have been identified as key actors in these cyber-espionage campaigns.
Cybersecurity experts
urge stronger defense measures, vendor scrutiny, and international cooperation
to counter these growing threats.
Stay vigilant and proactive in addressing cybersecurity challenges.
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