A political storm has erupted with the Opposition demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, following reports that two Election Commissioners raised 'expansive red flags' over the Special Intensive Revision of voters' lists, citing issues like name deletions and decisions made without their knowledge.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged the Reserve Bank of India to accelerate its central bank digital currency initiatives, emphasising the need to sharpen capabilities with the digital rupee amidst rapid advancements in tokenisation, agentic AI, and quantum computing. She also highlighted critical concerns regarding cybersecurity, warning that autonomous AI systems are evolving rapidly and require robust safeguards. Sitharaman proposed a federated industry platform to give India's technology ecosystem a collective international voice.
Delhi Police have arrested two men in Jaipur, busting a mule account syndicate that allegedly routed proceeds from cyber frauds through multiple bank accounts. The investigation began after a Delhi resident lost Rs 1.91 lakh, leading to the discovery of a sophisticated money-laundering operation involving loan repayments.
The Indian government has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of levying fees on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 to merchants. The government highlighted that a parliamentary standing committee, which included Congress MPs, had previously backed a tiered Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for UPI. This move aims to ensure the financial sustainability of the UPI ecosystem and reduce its dependence on government subsidies, a concern raised by the committee due to the significant funding gap between allocations and operational costs.
Kerala Police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar highlighted cyber fraud as a serious social challenge, particularly targeting youth, during the inauguration of 'RBI Reelathon 2026'. This multi-phase awareness campaign by the Reserve Bank of India aims to engage college students in combating cyber financial frauds through creative content creation and timely reporting.
Gujarat's Gir Somnath police have busted a massive cyber fraud racket involving over Rs 310 crore in suspicious transactions through mule bank accounts, arresting five individuals. This operation, part of the state-wide "Operation Mule Hunt 2.0," is considered the district's largest cybercrime case to date, aiming to recover victims' money and curb illegal account rentals.
Telecom industry body COAI and the British High Commission signed an MoU to boost cooperation in AI, connectivity, and digital trust, fostering responsible tech innovation. The pact, signed at the CO.AI 2026 event, focused on AI's role in intelligent networks, security, and public services. Discussions highlighted AI's importance in combating fraud, improving network efficiency, and ensuring secure digital services. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti and Acting British High Commissioner Ben Mellor emphasised the need for balanced governance and international collaboration to ensure secure, inclusive, and responsible digital transformation.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the central bank consistently views fintechs as 'valuable partners' in shaping India's future financial system, crediting the sector with expanding financial inclusion, enhancing customer experience, and streamlining credit delivery, particularly for MSMEs.
Phishing sites mimicked SBI, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank to steal card details and OTPs.
Experts laud the decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move, along with a dedicated fund for small merchants, is seen as crucial for creating a sustainable digital payments ecosystem, incentivising expansion in rural areas, and funding innovation while keeping most transactions free for users.
Nepal Police has urged the public to return any valuables, including gold, silver, cash, or documents, found after the August 26 floods, warning that keeping such items could lead to legal action. This warning follows the arrest of 29 people for allegedly looting a bank safe swept downstream by the floods.
The Supreme Court has indicated that its judges may personally visit the National Testing Agency (NTA) to examine its upgraded facilities aimed at preventing recurring NEET paper leaks. This unusual move underscores the court's emphasis on institutional strengthening and permanent solutions. The NTA informed the bench that it has overhauled its system, while a high-powered panel is also working on structural reforms to ensure foolproof examination processes.
A 52-year-old labourer, Santosh Kumar Gupta, has been arrested in New Delhi for allegedly facilitating an online investment fraud by lending his bank account to route Rs 5 lakh of defrauded money. He is suspected of acting as an India-based facilitator for an international cyber fraud network.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called for enhanced accountability and safeguards for artificial intelligence, particularly as it integrates into critical sectors like finance. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest, she highlighted the dual nature of AI, capable of accelerating transactions but also amplifying fraud and cyberattacks. Sitharaman stressed the need for human and institutional responsibility in AI-driven decisions, urging regulators and companies to scrutinise high-risk AI applications. She also proposed a federated industry platform for Indian tech companies to navigate international regulations and ensure tax compliance globally.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised commentators who express pessimism about India's demographic dividend, asserting that the country's youth are actively driving economic growth and innovation. She also highlighted the dual nature of AI and the need for robust safeguards in emerging technologies like quantum computing to balance innovation with safety.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has formally requested the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to permanently retain Aadhaar update histories related to date-of-birth changes and to restrict such modifications after a significant period. This move is part of WFI's intensified crackdown on age fraud in wrestling, which has seen numerous disqualifications and suspensions, aiming to ensure fair play and transparency in age-group competitions.
Assam Police have arrested a cyber fraudster suspected of involvement in multi-state digital crimes. The arrest was made by the Crime Investigation Department's Cyber Police Station, and the suspect is believed to have operated a highly active mule account.
Former India cricketer Rajesh Chauhan has been booked for allegedly cheating a man of over Rs 15 lakh by promising a transport contract with a steel company, a case registered on court orders under Section 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
Patan Police have busted a large-scale cyber fraud racket, arresting 14 individuals involved in illegal transactions worth Rs 398.43 crore through 13 'mule accounts'. The operation, dubbed "Operation Mule Hunt 2.0", uncovered a network linked to 228 inter-state cyber fraud complaints, where individuals were lured to open bank accounts used to channel proceeds of cyber crimes.
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, advocating for zero tolerance towards state-sponsored cross-border terrorism. The declaration also addressed global terror, illegal financial flows, cyber fraud, and emphasised accountability for those involved in terror activities.
A delegation from Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe rape allegations against former SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla. Chawla resigned after being booked for rape, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation. The delegation highlighted serious questions surrounding the case, including the woman's travel, arrest, and stay in various facilities, and expressed concern over the impact on revered Sikh institutions.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) stated that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) "is distributed only amongst the UPI ecosystem, to further invest into infrastructure resilience, innovation, cybersecurity (protecting the UPI infrastructure with banks and non-banks) and customer service."
Delhi Police dismantled an interstate cyber fraud network involved in routing illicit funds through bank account kits, SIM cards, and ATM credentials, leading to the arrest of three key individuals from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
Delhi Police have dismantled an interstate cyber fraud syndicate, arresting three key operatives involved in siphoning off money through unauthorised banking transactions. The police successfully froze approximately Rs 4 lakh of the Rs 4.82 lakh stolen from a victim's account and recovered numerous debit cards, SIM cards, and mobile phones used in the operation.
India's IT Ministry sources state the country will not slow down its Artificial Intelligence development, distinguishing its focus on people-centric applications from global concerns over frontier models. The government acknowledges AI safety risks and is tightening incident reporting norms, with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasising regulation for user safety.
Over 700 doctors in Telangana have collectively lost nearly Rs 30 crore to various cyber frauds since September 2024, prompting the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau to hold an awareness meeting for healthcare professionals. Business and investment frauds accounted for the largest share of losses.
Cyber Police have arrested Abdu Rahman in Delhi, a key accused in a Cambodia-based online fraud network. This syndicate, which initially used online trading and loan scams, shifted to matrimonial platforms to defraud Indian citizens, including a Kochi doctor who lost Rs 37 lakh. The network recruits Indians to work in scam centres in Cambodia and has been responsible for numerous online frauds.
The BCCI's member units have authorised office-bearers to make a decision regarding the extension of chief selector Ajit Agarkar's contract, which is set to expire early next month, and to fill vacancies in the junior selection committee.
'It's A Cat And Mouse Game.'
Gurugram police have dismantled a cyber fraud operation run from a call centre in Ghaziabad, arresting three individuals accused of defrauding people of significant sums through deceptive insurance and government bond investment schemes.
Delhi Police dismantled multiple interstate cyber fraud syndicates in a month-long operation, arresting 35 and bringing 89 offenders to justice. The syndicates were involved in various scams, including digital arrest, investment fraud, and fake dating schemes, with transactions worth nearly Rs 40 crore.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the Modi government of quietly paving the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions, alleging it's a surrender to American pressure. The government's recent notification exempts charges only up to Rs 2,000, sparking concerns that higher value transactions and eventually all UPI payments could incur fees. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, clarified that Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies to merchants, not customers, and supports digital infrastructure.
A CISF constable in Mumbai became a victim of cyber fraud when his mobile phone was allegedly hacked, leading to Rs 95,668 being siphoned from his bank account. Police have registered an FIR and are investigating the incident, which involved the phone resetting and apps deleting automatically before the unauthorised transaction.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police has arrested another person from Bhubaneswar for his alleged involvement in a bank loan fraud case worth Rs 6.88 crore.
Can your money be protected against online frauds like hacking, digital arrests, etc?
Police in Meerut have arrested two individuals for allegedly running a fake Common Service Centre (CSC) to open fraudulent bank accounts using forged documents of unsuspecting, needy people. The accused used these accounts for online financial frauds, leading to the recovery of numerous fake IDs, bank cards, and other incriminating evidence.
Gujarat police have uncovered cyber frauds worth Rs 2,289 crore and arrested 638 individuals as part of 'Operation Mule Account 1.0', a state-wide crackdown on online criminals launched in 2025.
Delhi Police have arrested two individuals from Haryana for their alleged involvement in facilitating cyber fraud through mule bank accounts. The arrests were made during an investigation into an online investment scam that defrauded a senior citizen of over Rs 1.69 lakh.
The Indian government has mandated that banks and payment providers cannot levy charges on UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000 or on payments made via RuPay debit cards. This directive follows an amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, aiming to sustain and expand the digital payments ecosystem.
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has uncovered a Rs 1.5 crore WhatsApp fraud, leading to the arrest of two key SIM and OTP suppliers in West Bengal. The investigation revealed a sophisticated international cybercrime network spanning China, Pakistan, India, and Hong Kong, operating a "boss scam" and utilizing a "Cybercrime as a Service" model. Police recovered a significant portion of the defrauded amount and secured thousands of devices.
