Meta is introducing a free Facebook Verified program that uses facial recognition to confirm user identity against existing profile pictures. This initiative aims to help human users interact with other humans and combat the rise of AI-generated fake profiles and scams across Facebook's services.
A new UNODC report reveals online scams, primarily investment fraud, cost victims an estimated US$88.3 billion to US$114.1 billion last year, a significant increase from 2023. Authorities in an unspecified region are reportedly cracking down on this illicit industry under pressure from the United States, Britain, and China.
A US prisoner serving time for money laundering allegedly moved $290,000 in cryptocurrency in January 2024 after a court ordered the assets forfeited, highlighting a gap in government control over digital assets.
Angelo Martino, a former ransomware negotiator for DigitalMint, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for colluding with BlackCat scammers. He provided confidential negotiation information to cybercriminals to inflate ransom demands, receiving a portion of the payments. Five victims paid over $75 million, with likely millions inflated due to Martino's actions.
A crypto user lost nearly $1 million in USDT on Ethereum after signing a phishing token approval. This incident highlights the ongoing threat of social engineering scams in the crypto industry, which have already resulted in hundreds of millions in losses this year.
Adult content creators are filing millions of copyright takedown requests, inadvertently leading to the compromise of thousands of government and university websites globally. Scammers exploit these official domains to push malicious links and scams, using creator names as bait. While DMCA requests aim to protect content, they highlight vulnerabilities in official web infrastructure.
Telstra experienced a major outage Wednesday, affecting thousands of mobile customers. A software defect caused network time servers to reset, leading to intermittent issues with calls and data. The disruption caused commuter chaos and affected emergency services and EFTPOS systems.
Amazon, eBay, and Etsy face a surge in scams using AI-generated images to sell non-existent flower seeds. Scammers create convincing visuals of unique flowers like bird-shaped or rainbow roses, leading to customer dissatisfaction and potential environmental risks.
Indonesia deported 92 Chinese nationals arrested in May for alleged involvement in an online gaming and investment fraud syndicate. The deportation, funded and facilitated by the Chinese government, occurred on Sunday from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, designed to enhance privacy by hiding phone numbers, is facing criticism in India. Concerns are raised that it could facilitate online impersonation and scams, particularly targeting public figures and influencers.
Online stores are selling fraudulent "Made in the USA" products, including patriotic apparel and commemorative coins, ahead of America's 250th anniversary. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to be vigilant against scams, citing examples like a T-shirt advertised as American-made but shipped from China.
Binance co-founder Yi He warned of an alleged scammer, "Zhu Pan," who impersonated her. Crypto platform CoinUp denied operational ties to Zhu Pan, despite acknowledging a link to a project listed on its exchange, and is investigating its token's volatility.
Scammers in China are increasingly targeting academics with paper submission-based fraud. A lecturer paid $680 for a conference publication indexed in Compendex, only to receive a paper in an obscure journal from a fabricated conference.
BTS fans in Southeast Asia have lost over $100,000 to scammers exploiting the high demand for comeback tour tickets. Desperate fans are falling prey to fake offers online, leading to significant financial losses and heartbreak.
BTS fans in Southeast Asia have lost over $100,000 to scammers exploiting high demand for comeback tour tickets. Desperate fans are falling prey to fake offers, with authorities and ticketing platforms issuing warnings.
Fans of K-pop group BTS are losing significant amounts of money to scammers while trying to secure tickets for their comeback tour. In Southeast Asia alone, over $100,000 has been lost as desperate fans fall prey to fraudulent offers, highlighting the intense demand and competitive ticketing landscape.
Scammers are targeting eager gamers with fake emails and websites offering early access to Grand Theft Auto VI. These fraudulent offers, often mimicking official communications with AI, aim to steal personal data, login credentials, or financial information by tricking users into downloading malware or providing sensitive details.
Naresh Gujral, son of former PM I.K. Gujral, lost Rs 7.8 crore to cyber fraudsters who impersonated him on a messaging app and manipulated employee phone records. Delhi Police froze Rs 4 crore and are pursuing further recovery.
Tech reviewer Tom Honeyands lost £70,000 to a phishing scam after fraudsters used details from his social media videos. The scammers, posing as Lloyds bank staff, exploited his travel information and visible banking icons on his computer screen to trick him into verifying fraudulent transactions.
TRM Labs warns crypto scammers are targeting FIFA World Cup fans with fake ticketing sites, fixed-match betting, and event-themed promotions. The FBI and FIFA have also issued warnings about fraudulent websites and unofficial ticket sales ahead of the 2026 tournament.
Un projet de loi bipartisan aux États-Unis vise à créer une force spéciale fédérale pour combattre les vols de cryptomonnaies, offrant un interlocuteur unique aux victimes.
Valve is phasing out physical Steam gift cards by the end of 2026 due to persistent scams. The company is ending the program as scammers adapt to new restrictions, impacting customers. Digital gift cards and redemption of existing physical cards will continue.
Aviva detected £233m in fraudulent insurance claims in 2025, a record high, with scammers using AI to fake accident scenes and documents, leading to increased motor and home insurance fraud.
Russian prankster Alexey Stolyarov, known as Lexus, stated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that the question 'Whose Crimea is it?' is no longer effective in identifying phone scammers. He explained that many victims have been tricked by scammers who immediately claim Crimea as Russian, thus gaining trust.
