cybercrime
39 stories related to this topic, newest first.
japantimes.co.jpThai Police Arrest Six Nigerians in Romance Scam Investigation
Thai police detained six Nigerian nationals accused of operating a romance scam that used AI-generated images and video calls. The suspects allegedly posed as professionals to solicit fees from Thai women.
Ars TechnicaEuropean Police Dismantle VPN Used in Ransomware Attacks
Law enforcement agencies from France and the Netherlands seized the First VPN service and arrested its administrator. Europol said investigators accessed user data and identified thousands of accounts linked to cybercrime.
theyeshivaworld.comLaw Enforcement Agencies Shut Down VPN Service Used by Ransomware Groups
An international coalition of law enforcement agencies announced the shutdown of First VPN, a service used by cybercriminals. The FBI and Europol reported that at least 25 ransomware gangs relied on the service to conceal their activities.
yahoo.comGroups advise schools to remove student photos over AI photo alteration
Groups have warned schools against posting photos of children following reports of AI being used to alter images for blackmail. The practice has occurred several times in the U.S.
South China Morning PostSri Lanka Arrests Rise as Suspected Scammers Relocate from Cambodia and Myanmar
Sri Lankan police have arrested more than 1,000 foreign nationals since January for alleged cybercrime involvement. Officials link the increase to networks displaced by enforcement actions in Cambodia and Myanmar.
abcnews.go.comTwin Brothers Plead Guilty to Charges Involving 96 Federal Databases After Contractor Termination
Muneeb Akhter and Sohaib Akhter, 34-year-old twins employed at federal contractor Opexus, admitted to the sabotage after their termination was captured on a Microsoft Teams recording they failed to close. Instructure reached an agreement with ShinyHunters following a ransomware a…
blackenterprise.comGeorgia Woman Sentenced to 20 Months for Faking Pregnant Teen Identity in Adoption Scam
A Georgia woman received a 20-month prison sentence for cyberstalking adoptive parents, transmitting threats to kidnap or injure, and identity theft after she impersonated a pregnant teenager online. The conviction triggers three years of supervised release and sets a precedent f…
ibtimes.co.ukFBI Phoenix and U.S. Attorney’s Office Urge 24-Hour Reporting on Email Scams
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and the FBI Phoenix Division’s fraud team issued a public reminder on National Senior Fraud Awareness Day that sophisticated email scams now target businesses and individuals of all ages. Victims who contact law enforcement a…
The GuardianEY Report: Professional Athletes Lost Nearly $1bn to Fraud Over Two Decades as Sports Revenue Hits Records
EY report tallies nearly $1bn in alleged losses by professional athletes over two decades while FBI data shows Americans reported more than $20bn in cybercrime losses last year. Recent convictions include Ippei Mizuhara’s 57-month sentence for stealing $17m from Shohei Ohtani and…
itnews.com.auInfoblox Maps Underground Market for iPhone Unlocking Tools and Related Phishing Sites
Researchers identified more than 10,000 phishing websites tied to stolen iPhone unlocking services, with traffic surging 350 percent last year. The pay-per-use tools, costing less than $10 on average, target devices through physical access and social engineering. London police re…
nbcnews.comSouth Korea Extradites Second Chinese National in Alleged 38-Billion-Won Hacking Ring
A 40-year-old Chinese national accused of leading a hacking ring that stole 38 billion won was extradited from Bangkok. The suspect allegedly targeted securities accounts including one belonging to BTS vocalist Jungkook and attempted to transfer 8.4 billion won in Hybe shares.
nationalpost.comOrganised Criminals in Manila Prisons Target South Korea and Japan With Cybercrime
Organised criminals operating from prisons and detention centres in Manila are targeting South Korea and Japan with a new form of cybercrime. The activity involves coordinated operations run from correctional facilities. South Korean and Japanese authorities are aware of the thre…
therecord.mediaSlovakian Darknet Market Administrator Sentenced to 200 Months in Prison
A Slovakian national who administered a darknet marketplace selling heroin, oxycodone and stolen personal information received a 200-month prison sentence in federal court. The penalty removes a major supplier from operation and signals continued U.S. pursuit of overseas darknet…
usatoday.comVirginia Man Convicted of Conspiracy to Delete U.S. Government Databases
A federal jury in Alexandria convicted Sohaib Akhter, 34, on charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, password trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The conviction triggers mandatory federal sentencing proceedings that will determine prison terms…
RapplerPhilippine Officials Call for Stricter Roblox Safeguards, National ID Verification During Rappler AMA
CICC and CWC executives outlined radicalization methods on the gaming platform and demanded a Philippine office, PhilSys ID integration and faster takedowns. They described how groomers create custom violent games then shift children to messaging apps for instructions on guns and…
naturalnews.comStudy Finds Surge in AI-Related Discussions on Cybercrime Forums Since ChatGPT Launch
A study of 97,895 conversations found users on hacking forums pushing back against AI content from 2022 through 2025. Researchers documented complaints that such posts undermine community reputation and human interaction. Flashpoint analysts noted separate discussions of AI-enhan…
ambcrypto.comGothFerrari Sentenced to 78 Months for Role in $250 Million Crypto Heist
Marlon Ferro, 20, of Santa Ana, California, received a 78-month prison sentence in U.S. District Court in Washington on May 6, 2026. The sentence concludes his part in a social engineering conspiracy that stole more than $250 million in cryptocurrency from victims nationwide.
fonearena.comTwo US Nationals Sentenced to 18 Months for Hosting Laptops in DPRK IT Worker Fraud
Matthew Issac Knoot of Nashville, Tennessee, and Erick Ntekereze Prince of New York each received 18-month prison sentences for receiving and hosting laptop computers that US companies shipped to addresses the defendants maintained. The scheme allowed Democratic People’s Republic…
insidermonkey.comCambodian PM's Cousin Claims 30% Ownership in Digital Payments Firm Huione Pay
The cousin of Cambodia's prime minister stated he owned a 30 percent stake in Huione Pay, a digital payments platform. Huione Pay is accused of laundering funds for transnational criminal groups. These groups perpetrate cyberscams from Southeast Asia.
usatoday.comNicaraguan National Gets 15 Years for $29 Million Bank Fraud
A previously deported Nicaraguan national received a 15-year federal prison sentence for leading a cyber-enabled bank impersonation scheme. The case highlights federal enforcement against international fraud networks targeting U.S. victims.
rte.ieLatvian Ransomware Negotiator Sentenced to 102 Months for $56 Million Attacks
A Latvian national received a 102-month prison term in Ohio federal court for his role in negotiating ransomware extortions totaling $56 million. The sentencing advances U.S. prosecutions of international cybercrime networks by incarcerating a key operative from the Karakurt grou…
worldairlinenews.comLatvian National Sentenced to 102 Months for Ransomware Attacks
A Latvian national received a 102-month prison sentence for his involvement in a Russian ransomware group that targeted over 54 companies. The conviction advances U.S. enforcement against transnational cyber threats by imposing significant penalties on participants.
rte.ieTwo Americans Sentenced to Four Years for BlackCat Ransomware Attacks
Two American cybersecurity professionals each received four-year prison sentences for conspiring to extort multiple U.S. victims using ALPHV BlackCat ransomware in 2023. The case underscores federal enforcement against domestic actors in global cyber extortion networks, potential…
rediff.comGerman National Extradited from Colombia for Running Dark Web Marketplace
U.S. authorities extradited a German citizen from Colombia to face charges for owning and operating The Versus Project, a dark web site that facilitated illegal transactions. The action targets a platform with over 380,000 users, potentially disrupting networks for narcotics, fir…
citizen.co.zaFour Sentenced in $38 Million Email Fraud Scheme
Four defendants received prison terms for orchestrating a transnational business email compromise operation that defrauded victims of more than $38 million. The sentences underscore federal prosecutors' focus on cross-border cybercrimes targeting businesses and individuals.
rnz.co.nzTwo Men Sentenced for Telegram Refund Fraud Scheme
Federal judges in Alabama handed prison terms to two operators of the “Noir’s Luxury Refunds” Telegram channel for wire fraud. The sentences target a group that taught thousands how to scam luxury retailers out of refunds.
reviewjournal.comFeds Charge Purgatory Hacker in University Swatting Plot
Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania indicted a member of the cybercriminal group Purgatory for making hoax emergency calls targeting universities. The charges expose vulnerabilities in campus security and prompt a call for victims to aid the FBI investigation.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSEC Issues Alert on Phishing, Smishing and Vishing Scams Targeting Investor Accounts
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission warned investors about scams aiming to steal personal and financial information. The alert follows a recent executive order by President Trump to combat cybercrime. Data from the FBI and White House highlight significant losses from suc…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewUS Sanctions Cambodian Senator Over Links to Crypto Romance Scams
The United States imposed sanctions on Cambodian senator Kok An for his alleged involvement in scam centers that defrauded U.S. citizens of millions in cryptocurrency. The Treasury Department also targeted 28 related individuals and entities. Stablecoin issuer Tether froze $344 m…
thehindu.com26-Year-Old Arrested in Singapore for Allegedly Leaking Paramount's Upcoming Avatar Aang Movie
Singaporean authorities arrested a 26-year-old man accused of leaking Paramount Skydance's upcoming Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender animated film through unauthorized server access. The film, set for an October 9 premiere on Paramount Plus, appeared online starting April 11. Offi…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewBalancer Exploiter Resumes Activity After 5 Months, Launders $2.55M ETH to BTC
The perpetrator behind a $120 million theft from Balancer has become active again. In the past hour, the exploiter moved 1,100 ETH valued at $2.55 million and began converting it to BTC via THORChain. @lookonchain reported the laundering activity on 2026-04-24.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewScottish Man Pleads Guilty in U.S. Court to $8 Million Crypto Theft Conspiracy
A 24-year-old man from Scotland admitted to conspiring in a hacking scheme that stole $8 million in virtual currency from victims across the U.S. and abroad. The plea came in federal court as part of charges involving phishing attacks on at least 45 companies. Co-conspirators fac…
medium.comEuropol Announces Operation Against DDoS-for-Hire Services with Arrests and Warnings
Europol has coordinated an international law enforcement operation targeting for-hire distributed denial-of-service services. The effort included arrests, domain takedowns, and warnings sent to thousands of suspected users. The operation aims to disrupt easy access to tools for l…
WiredUK Sanctions Xinbi Guarantee for Crypto Scams and Human Trafficking; Telegram Continues Hosting
The UK government sanctioned Xinbi Guarantee in late March 2026 for facilitating crypto scams and human trafficking. Telegram has not removed the black market's accounts despite the sanctions. The platform has hosted the service for over three years, enabling billions in transact…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewFBI Dismantles Global Phishing Operation Targeting Over 17,000 Victims Worldwide
The FBI announced the takedown of a global phishing operation called W3LL on Monday. The operation targeted more than 17,000 victims and enabled over $20 million in attempted fraud. Authorities detained the alleged developer and seized key domains with assistance from Indonesian…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewChinese Authorities Target Domestic Fraud as Syndicates Shift to International Victims
Chinese authorities are increasing efforts to combat fraud within the country, according to researchers. Crime syndicates are redirecting their operations to target victims outside China, including in the United States. This shift occurs amid Beijing's domestic crackdown on scams…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewDutch Police Launch Social Media Campaign to Identify Victims in International Sextortion Case
Dutch police have initiated a social media campaign to locate and assist girls and young women victimized in a sextortion case originating from a U.S. tip. The investigation has identified over 50 victims aged 13 to 20 across six countries, with the 22-year-old suspect on trial i…
petapixel.comUK Police Investigate Former Meta Employee for Downloading 30,000 Private Facebook Images
A former Meta employee in London faces a criminal investigation for allegedly downloading approximately 30,000 private images from Facebook users. Authorities suspect he created a program to bypass internal security measures while employed at the company. Meta reported the incide…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewFBI 2025 Internet Crime Report Records Nearly $21 Billion in U.S. Cybercrime Losses
The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report documented nearly $21 billion in losses from cyber-enabled crimes affecting Americans. Cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence-related scams ranked among the most expensive categories. The report highlights ongoing risks in digital financia…