Scam
Ukraine dismantles crypto scam network that stole €4.3 million
Ukrainian law enforcement arrested four suspects in a case involving the theft of more than €4.3 million using a network of cryptocurrency investment scam call centers. In these fraud schemes (also known as romance baiting or pig butchering scams), criminals lure targets through social media, dating sites, and messaging apps into fake investment schemes, stealing […]
Chinese man extradited for role in $36 million cryptocurrency scam
A Chinese national was arraigned in California after being extradited from the Netherlands for his alleged involvement in a cryptocurrency investment scam that stole nearly $37 million from 174 victims in the United States. In these fraud schemes (also known as pig butchering or romance baiting scams), cybercriminals contact targets through social media, dating sites, […]
Hacker gets 8 years for stealing $3.3 million from taxpayers
A Nigerian national was sentenced to eight years in prison for his involvement in a series of spearphishing attacks targeting US tax preparation businesses since 2019. 40-year-old Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu (also known as Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo and So Kwan Leung) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud after being extradited […]
Android gets AI defenses against messaging scams, fake calls
Google announced new AI-powered defenses against scam messages and call-forwarding abuse on Android, currently rolling out to eligible devices. The new measures aim to address the increased sophistication of scams targeting mobile users, including fraudulent bank alerts and voice-cloning attacks. “Mobile scams have evolved far beyond basic robocalls and phishing texts, turning into sophisticated operations […]
Microsoft’s X account hacked in crypto pump-and-dump scheme
On Thursday, unknown attackers hijacked the official Microsoft account on X, which has over 13 million followers, in what appeared to be a pump-and-dump scheme promoting a crypto token. The attack began when the Microsoft account (@Microsoft) followed and reposted a tweet from another now-suspended X account (@clippymsftcto) impersonating Microsoft’s Clippy virtual assistant, The Verge […]
Vietnamese man charged in $16 million ‘pig butchering’ crypto scam
A Vietnamese national was charged with money laundering for his role in a massive “pig butchering” scam, which defrauded a victim out of $16 million worth of cryptocurrency. 37-year-old Trung Nguyen Van entered the United States through the San Ysidro, California / Mexico pedestrian border entry point on September 22 and was arrested before boarding […]
Suspected Black Axe gang leaders face cybercrime charges in the US
Five alleged leaders of the Black Axe cybercrime syndicate, known for its involvement in global-scale cyber-enabled financial fraud, have been extradited to the United States to face wire fraud and money laundering charges. Defendants Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, Osariemen Clement, Collins Otughwor, and Musa Mudashiru have been indicted for coordinating a large-scale internet fraud campaign […]
Police arrests dozens of suspects in global cybercrime crackdown
Law enforcement agencies from 22 countries helped identify 263 suspects and arrested 58 individuals linked to cybercrime networks coordinated by African crime groups. The “Operation Jackal IV” international joint action targeted West African criminal networks between November 2025 and June 2026. The operation also focused on disrupting the Black Axe cybercrime syndicate, known for its […]
WhatsApp rolls out new feature that flags potential scam messages
WhatsApp has begun rolling out a new optional “Scam Alert” feature, which uses a local machine learning model to warn users when scammers are targeting them. Scam Alert is now available as part of a limited beta rollout while the company tests this new warning system with researchers in its Bug Bounty community. “Today, we’re […]
US charges two over laundering $43 million from investment fraud
U.S. prosecutors on Thursday charged a New York man and woman for their roles in a large-scale crime ring that laundered money stolen in cyber investment fraud scams. 27-year-old Zhuoying Chen and 38-year-old Haojie Zhang allegedly managed a network of over a dozen people based in Queens and Brooklyn between 2020 and 2022. Chen and […]