Police in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, have registered a case against a man for allegedly operating a fake WhatsApp account in the name of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Budgam.
The Indian government has issued a notice to Meta regarding WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, warning the platform not to roll it out until concerns about potential fraud, impersonation, and public safety are addressed to the government's satisfaction.
India's IT Ministry has issued notices to Telegram and Signal, following a similar action against WhatsApp, questioning their username features due to concerns over increased online fraud, phishing, and impersonation. The government is seeking explanations on how these platforms address such risks, with one homegrown app already disabling the feature.
WhatsApp has asserted that username reservation relating to well-known public figure names is restricted only to their legitimate account owners, and termed as "false" any claims that people are reserving popular or well-known usernames.
WhatsApp has released detailed FAQs on its upcoming username feature, outlining measures to address concerns around impersonation, scams, and unwanted contact, amidst government scrutiny.
Two individuals have been arrested in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, for allegedly creating a fake social media account in the name of the Palghar district collector and defrauding a local resident of Rs 50,000. Police successfully recovered the entire amount.
WhatsApp is finally letting you hide your phone number behind a custom username. While it's a massive win for privacy, cybersecurity experts warn it could unleash a wave of identity scams. Here is what you need to know.
The Indian government has sought explanations from WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal regarding their username features, citing serious concerns about potential impersonation and cybercrime. IT Secretary S Krishnan highlighted the risks, leading to notices being served to these platforms, with WhatsApp specifically asked to pause its rollout of the feature.
India's IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to summon Meta regarding Instagram ads promoting child sexual abuse material, following a BBC investigation. This action comes shortly after the government also questioned Meta about WhatsApp's planned username feature, citing concerns over increased online fraud and cybercrimes.
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sought an explanation from WhatsApp regarding its username feature, citing concerns over potential cybercrime facilitation. Concurrently, the ministry is investigating reported data leak allegations involving Tata Electronics, a key supplier for Apple's iPhone components in India. MeitY is also exploring techno-legal solutions for VPNs to address challenges posed by unregistered providers operating from outside India.
A retired school teacher in Kanpur was allegedly defrauded of Rs 1.57 crore (approximately 150,000) in a sophisticated cyber scam involving impersonations of Mark Zuckerberg and associates of Elon Musk.
Rajasthan Police dismantled a cyber fraud operation, arresting 17 individuals for allegedly defrauding an accountant of Rs 5.30 crore by impersonating his company's chairman on WhatsApp.
Gurugram Police have arrested a man from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, for his alleged involvement in an Rs 8.30 lakh cyber fraud. The accused provided his bank account, which was used to receive the cheated amount from a victim who was subjected to a "digital arrest" by fraudsters impersonating government officials. The investigation is ongoing to trace other individuals involved.
Gurugram Police have arrested a man from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, for his alleged involvement in an Rs 8.30 lakh cyber fraud. The accused provided his bank account, which was used to receive the cheated amount from a victim who was subjected to a "digital arrest" by fraudsters impersonating government officials. The investigation is ongoing to trace other individuals involved.
A Delhi court has ordered the framing of charges against actress Jacqueline Fernandez, Sukesh Chandrashekhar, and 15 others in connection with a Rs 200-crore money laundering case.
The Indian government has extended the deadline for implementing SIM-binding rules for mobile messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to December 31, following requests from the industry. The Department of Telecom has also relaxed the mandatory six-hour log-out rule for web versions of these apps.
A 61-year-old man from Mangaluru was allegedly cheated of Rs 2.07 crore by cyber fraudsters posing as officials of central investigative agencies in a 'digital arrest' scam, police said.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has implemented extensive security and logistical arrangements, including AI-based CCTV monitoring, biometric verification, and police escorts, to ensure the smooth, secure, and transparent conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.
Kerala Police have issued a warning about a new form of cyber fraud targeting people buying mattresses online. Fraudsters pose as fake customer care representatives of mattress companies and pressure customers into making immediate payments.
Mumbai Police have arrested three men from Jharkhand for creating and selling fraudulent APK files used to scam people, particularly during a recent shortage of LPG cylinders.
A Nigerian national was arrested in Delhi by the Uttar Pradesh STF for allegedly creating fake profiles of US and UK citizens on social media and cheating victims on the pretext of sending expensive gifts and foreign currency.
The CBI has filed a chargesheet against a man accused of defrauding a retired banker of Rs 23 crore in a sophisticated digital arrest scam involving impersonation of law enforcement and judicial authorities.
A senior citizen in Navi Mumbai was allegedly swindled of 64 lakh over four years by cyber fraudsters posing as insurance regulators and grievance officials.
An 82-year-old woman in Thane, Maharashtra, was allegedly defrauded of 73.3 lakh in a 'digital arrest' scam after fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials threatened to implicate her in a fake terror case.
What looked like a delivery update quickly turned into a WhatsApp hijack, Rishika Shah discovered to her horror.
LIC offices will remain open during normal working hours on Tuesday for customer convenience, following an advisory from Irdai. CoinDCX commits to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure, and PayNearby introduces UPI QR-based cash withdrawals.
The Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two members of an inter-state organised gang from Jammu and Kashmir for their alleged involvement in cyber fraud.
A Kerala MLA, K Shantakumari, was targeted by a cyber fraud gang impersonating Anti-Terrorism Squad officers, who claimed she was linked to a bomb blast case. She reported the incident to the cyber cell after uncovering their deception.
A Kerala MLA, K Shantakumari, was targeted by cyber fraudsters claiming a connection to a bomb blast case and using her identity. The MLA reported the incident to the cyber cell after her son identified inconsistencies in the video call.
Mumbai police have arrested a man from Gujarat for his alleged involvement in a cyber fraud case where a senior citizen was duped of Rs 2.25 crore after being threatened with arrest in a fake terrorism-related probe.
Five individuals, including an electronic repair shop owner and a DJ operator, have been arrested for allegedly defrauding a 78-year-old Delhi resident of over Rs 2.19 crore through a sophisticated cyber fraud involving impersonation of law enforcement officials and a 'digital arrest'.
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) foiled a digital arrest extortion attempt, rescuing an 80-year-old doctor and his family from cyber fraudsters posing as CBI officials.
'Just like oral hygiene, cyber hygiene must become a daily habit,' says Beena Vaheed, executive director, Bank of Baroda. 'It is not enough to rely only on banks, companies, or the government. Each of us must play our part.'
Meta announced a first-of-its-kind initiative called 'WhatsApp Bharat Yatra', where the company will go to Tier-II and Tier-III cities to provide on-ground, in-person training to small businesses.
'Instead of the government and telecom operators solving the mess of their own creation, they're telling us we need to give access to our phones perpetually.'
Bengaluru police recovered Rs 14 lakh lost by BJP MP's wife in a cyber fraud through 'digital arrest'.
Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable due to their high savings, trust in authorities, and limited familiarity with online frauds.
The impersonator, it said, has sent such WhatsApp messages to several VIPs.
WhatsApp on Wednesday announced the expansion of its payments service in India to make it easier for people transacting with businesses to pay for purchases directly in the chat, with a choice of UPI apps, including rival digital payment options, as well as credit and debit cards. Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg asserted that India is leading the world in people and businesses embracing messaging. WhatsApp said it is working with partners Razorpay and PayU "to make paying for something as simple as sending a message", as the Meta-owned platform unveiled a host of new features to woo businesses in India's booming commerce market.
Fraudsters lure individuals with false promises of recovering bonuses or maturity proceeds from lapsed policies.
