Tag: cybercrime
797 articles
Ukraine Disrupts 94 Fraudulent Call Centers in Nationwide Crackdown
In a massive nationwide crackdown, Ukrainian authorities have shut down 94 scam call centers that tricked people into fake investment schemes, stealing their bank account info by posing as bankers, brokers, and even law enforcement officers. The operation, involving over 400 searches, has already led to 26 suspects being formally identified.
Trump Expands Private Sector Role in US Offensive Hacking Operations
President Trump just signed a game-changing memo that lets private cyber firms join forces with the government to take down transnational cybercrime gangs. This bold move aims to harness the power of the private sector to supercharge the fight against online crime.
US Grants Private Firms License to Hack Back Against Cybercrime Groups
The US government has just given private cybersecurity firms the green light to hack back against foreign cybercrime groups that threaten American interests, marking a major shift in the country's cyber warfare strategy. This bold move targets transnational crime groups, not nation-states, and paves the way for covert surveillance and cyber operations.
US Authorizes Private Firms to Hack Foreign Cybercrime Groups
The US has taken a bold step in the fight against cybercrime, granting private firms the authority to hack foreign cybercrime groups in a bid to combat the staggering $20.8 billion lost by US consumers to cyber-enabled crime in 2025. This new power, enabled by a presidential memorandum, allows private security companies to apply for approval to conduct cyber operations against these malicious organizations.
FBI Warns of Rising Sextortion Attacks Targeting Online Accounts
Beware: cybercriminals are on the hunt for intimate content on social media and online accounts, using stolen images and videos to blackmail victims or sell them on shady marketplaces. Once they have your secrets, they can use them to extort and exploit you, often without you even knowing.
DeadLock Ransomware Leverages Blockchain to Evade Takedown
DeadLock Ransomware is taking a disturbingly clever approach to evade shutdown by leveraging the Polygon blockchain to conceal its operational addresses, making it a formidable foe for cybersecurity efforts. By cleverly using decentralized building blocks, the group has already amassed a shocking 80 victims, mostly in Europe.
Deepfake Glitch Foils Suspected Digital Certificate Fraudster
In a clever sting operation, Spanish police caught a suspected digital certificate fraudster off guard when a technical glitch revealed his real face while trying to impersonate others using deepfake technology. The alleged scammer had planned to use the fraudulently obtained credentials for further cybercrimes.
US, South Korea Warn of Gunra Ransomware Threat
Meet Gunra, a highly sophisticated ransomware threat that's been wreaking havoc since April 2025, evolving from a Windows-targeting menace to a cross-platform attacker with a thriving commercial ecosystem. This malicious force has rapidly expanded its reach, morphing into a full-fledged ransomware-as-a-service operation by January 2026.
UK Hacker Behind The Com Network Sentenced for Abuse of 117 Victims
Justin Swaddle, a 20-year-old UK man, has been sentenced to two years in prison for terrorizing 117 vulnerable victims worldwide with online abuse, forcing them to perform shocking acts of self-harm and sexual activity for his own twisted online popularity. He must also register as a sex offender.
UK Hacker Sentenced for Sextortion Targeting Minors Worldwide
A UK hacker, known for using aliases like "Epstein" and "Moscow", has been sentenced to two years in prison for targeting minors worldwide with sextortion, forcing them to perform shocking acts of self-harm and sexual activity for his online popularity. The 20-year-old, Justin Swaddle, preyed on nearly 120 young and vulnerable victims, leaving a trail of devastating impact across the globe.
Ransomware Attacks Surge 20% as New Gangs Target Finance, Healthcare
Ransomware attacks are on the rise, surging 20% in July with a staggering 799 incidents reported, with finance, healthcare, and tech industries becoming prime targets for new gangs. The alarming increase marks the second-busiest month of the year so far, with the US leading the list of targeted countries.
Ransom Cartel creator gets 16 years for cybercrime scheme
A 40-year-old Belarusian cybercriminal has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for masterminding a massive ransomware scheme that targeted at least 18 companies and attempted to extort a staggering $5.2 million. The defendant, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and identity theft charges, was a longtime fixture on Russian-speaking cybercrime forums before his arrest and extradition.
Cybercriminals Exploit AI Tokens for Massive Financial Gains
Cybercriminals are raking in millions by exploiting AI tokens, a technique known as token jacking, which allows them to secretly run up huge bills on unsuspecting companies using commercial AI platforms. In one shocking example, token jacking led to nearly $1 million in unauthorized charges before being caught.
Ransomware Kingpin Silnikau Gets 16 Years in Prison
In a major win for cybersecurity, Maksim Silnikau, the mastermind behind the notorious Ransom Cartel ransomware operation, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in wreaking havoc on victims worldwide. The Belarusian national was brought to justice through a collaborative effort between US and Polish authorities.
Snowflake hacker pleads guilty to massive data extortion scheme
In a major win for justice, Connor Moucka, a Canadian national, has pleaded guilty to masterminding a massive data extortion scheme targeting Snowflake customer environments, a case that could put him behind bars for up to 32 years. The guilty plea marks a significant milestone in one of the most expansive data-theft-and-extortion campaigns of 2024.
Ransom Cartel Creator Sentenced to 16 Years for Global Cyberattacks
Meet Maksim Silnikau, the mastermind behind the notorious Ransom Cartel, who's now facing 16 years behind bars for masterminding a global cyberattack spree that targeted at least 18 companies and raked in millions for him. The US Department of Justice brought him to justice, sentencing him for conspiracy, wire fraud, and identity theft.
Canadian Hacker Pleads Guilty to Snowflake Data Theft Extortion Scheme
A Canadian hacker has pleaded guilty to stealing sensitive data and extorting victims, including one instance where he re-extorted a victim by threatening to disclose their stolen information. The 26-year-old faces up to 32 years in prison when sentenced on October 27.
INC Ransomware Exploits SonicWall SMA 1000 Flaws in Global Campaign
INC Ransomware has rapidly become a major player in the cyber threat landscape, exploiting SonicWall SMA 1000 flaws to claim a staggering 885 victims worldwide as of August 2, 2026. The group's activity has surged since early August, with multiple victims listed on its data leak site.
BTMOB Malware Ecosystem Fractures as Resellers Exploit Source Code
The BTMOB malware ecosystem has shattered into a patchwork of fragmented offerings, morphing from a single, centrally operated service to a chaotic mix of official releases, private servers, and reseller panels. This dramatic shift comes after the source code was exploited, sending the once-coordinated operation into a tailspin.
Cyberattacks Surge 89% as AI Becomes Dual Threat
The threat landscape is evolving at an alarming rate: AI is now being wielded as a powerful tool by cyberattackers, with a staggering 89% surge in AI-enabled attacks. This dual threat - where AI is both the weapon and the target - has adversaries leveraging AI agents at 2.5 times the rate of human-triggered threats.
Data Breach Costs Soar to $5 Million Average Globally
The global average cost of a data breach has skyrocketed to a record $4.99 million, with organisations facing a daunting 602 incidents on average, and experts warn that a reactive security approach is no longer enough to keep up with today's rapid-fire cyber threats. To stay ahead, businesses must shift to a continuous, autonomous defence - or risk being left in the dust.
Botnets Persist Despite Takedowns, Fueled by Residential Proxy Networks
Botnets just won't quit, and it's no surprise why - there's a thriving market for access to millions of IPs, making it easy for them to keep growing and snaring more victims. Residential proxy networks are fueling this expansion, with nearly 60 million victim IP addresses globally and a significant chunk of them right here in the US.
Unfettered AI Fuels New Wave of Cybercrime
The alarming reality is that unregulated AI has become a cybercrime game-changer, with 6,644 openly available models labeled as "uncensored" and "unfiltered" racking up over 22 million downloads in just 30 days. This staggering statistic proves that guardrail-free AI is no longer a hypothetical threat, but a readily accessible tool for malicious use.
US Targets Overseas Cybercrooks with Visa Cancellations
The US is cracking down on overseas cybercrooks by cancelling their visas, a move aimed at curbing the $10 billion+ in scams that defraud American citizens every year. This targeted approach will deny visas to foreign nationals involved in cybercrime, including those behind investment scams and sextortion schemes that prey on vulnerable victims.