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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
1,172 phishing domains flagged; NTRO briefs parliamentary panel, says matrix formulated to address data security threat
Cybersecurity threat India's cybersecurity agency on Thursday revealed that it had identified 1,172 phishing domains in the first half of 2025. The data was shared by the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), which operates under the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). Officials from NCIIPC presented the findings to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, during a briefing on key cybersecurity threats, chaired by BJP Rajya Sabha member Radha Mohan Das Agarwal. The agency identified seven critical sectors namely Banking, financial services and insurance; power and energy; telecom; transport; strategic and public enterprises; health and governmen. 427 information infrastructures from 114 organisations have been classified as critical. Addressing the parliamentary panel, the agency said that steps will be taken to address the security threat and protect computers resources within the critical sectors based on a matrix formulated by NCIIPC in collaboration with concerned organisations. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
At Parl panel meet, MPs flag rising digital arrests
Lawmakers on Thursday urged government officials to intensify awareness campaigns against digital arrests — a relatively new form of cybercrime that has seen a sharp rise in recent times. At Parl panel meet, MPs flag rising digital arrests Besides the MPs, the meeting of the standing committee on home affairs, led by BJP's Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, also saw the participation of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials who said that non-availability of consent of some states has stalled the agency from investigating cases that involve 'serious national and international dimensions'. The agency also maintained that unless such cases are specifically referred by states, or entrusted by high courts or the Supreme Court, the bureau 'lacks the jurisdictional mandate to proceed' as the IT law, 2000 requires it to obtain the state's consent to undertake investigations. In March, the government made a submission to the Rajya Sabha that digital arrests and related cybercrimes have almost tripled in the country between 2022 and 2024, with defrauded amounts skyrocketing by 21 times during the period. Functionaries said that MPs insisted on more awareness campaigns. One of the MPs pointed out that even when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked people to protect themselves against digital arrest, awareness drives lack momentum. In his Mann Ki Baat address on October 27 last year, Modi told people that Indian law doesn't have any provision for digital arrest and that government agencies will never contact people via video calls or phone calls for any investigation. During the meeting, MPs suggested that government agencies should consider campaigns in cinema halls, OTT platforms and popular TV channels. They also urged the government to conduct awareness drives in schools and colleges to educate young people. According to a PIB press release on March 2025, the Centre had launched 'a comprehensive awareness programme on digital arrest scams which, inter-alia, include; newspaper advertisement, announcement in Delhi Metros, use of social media influencers to create special posts, campaign through Prasar Bharti and electronic media, special programme on Aakashvani and participated in Raahgiri Function at Connaught Place'.
News18
03-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
MPs Seek Crackdown On Digital Arrest Scams At MHA Panel Meet On Rising Cyber Fraud
Last Updated: The Financial Intelligence Unit-India raised concerns over the alarming increase in cyber-enabled financial fraud, many involving mule accounts Digital arrest scams were a focal point during the discussion on cyber fraud by the standing committee for the ministry of home affairs, which met on Thursday to look into strategies to tackle such challenges. Representatives from the ministry of corporate affairs, as well as central probe agencies like CBI and NIA also appeared before the committee chaired by BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agarwal. The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) raised concerns over the alarming increase in cyber-enabled financial frauds, many involving mule accounts – bank accounts operated by frauds but registered under the names of unsuspecting or complicit individuals. According to government data, India witnessed a 21-fold increase in such cases in 2024 as compared to 2022. In the first two months of 2025 alone, 17,768 cases of digital arrest were reported with financial losses exceeding Rs 210 crore; the total damage from this fraud has now surpassed Rs 2,000 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently warned the public about digital arrest. Experts and citizens, however, have questioned the lack of widespread public awareness campaigns. WHAT DOES CYBER FRAUD LOOK LIKE IN INDIA? The FIU's internal analysis has identified recurring cyber fraud patterns that continue to victimise thousands of Indians each month. Among the most prevalent are digital arrest fraud, where scammers pose as law enforcement officials to extort money from individuals through false accusations. Another growing threat is the electricity bill scam, where scammers send fake alerts and phishing links, using remote access tools like Anydesk to control victims' devices and siphon off funds. 'Why are there no public service messages on OTT platforms, cinema screens, or national television? Why aren't awareness drives being held in schools, colleges, or government institutions? Why not educate the masses through WhatsApp alerts or SMS campaigns?" an MP asked during the meeting, as per sources. Another MP remarked: 'The one that has escalated beyond expectations – digital arrest scams, now emerging as one of the most dangerous cyber frauds in the country." Experts have called for stronger institutional accountability in this high-stakes environment. While the CBI and NIA continue to probe high-level financial crime, the I4C, under the home ministry, remains the central coordinating body for cybercrime control. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT SAFEGUARDS? Representatives of the FIU told the panel that consultations have been held with police and administrative officials across all states and union territories. They said red flag indicators have been issued to banks and payment aggregators to detect and report mule accounts. Regulatory suggestions have been submitted to the Reserve Bank of India for stricter due diligence, IP monitoring, and product risk assessment. Advisories on customer verification and anti-tipping protocols have been issued in coordination with I4C, they added. WHAT IS THE ACTION PLAN? There is now a call for the formation of a dedicated national task force to tackle sophisticated scams like digital arrest, which often involve international actors and encrypted communications. The FIU has urged legal reforms to prohibit the use of mule accounts and SIM cards, which serve as the foundation of these fraud networks. These tools, often procured through organised crime syndicates, are used to bypass OTP and KYC protocols, making detection even harder.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘BJP does not believe in toppling the ruling government'
People are aware of the corrupt practices and maladministration issues facing the Congress Ministers. They will teach a fitting lesson to the Congress party in the forthcoming Assembly election in the State. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not believe in toppling the State government, said BJP national general secretary Radha Mohan Das Agarwal in Mangaluru on Wednesday. Talking to reporters, Mr. Agarwal said the Congress government is mired in charges of corruption and maladministration. Eleven innocent lives were lost recently in Bengaluru during the victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team at M. Chinnaswamy stadium in which Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar participated. Despite the team not being associated either to the government or the Congress party, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar hankered for publicity from the win of RCB in the IPL tournament, he said. 'Our (BJP) seats were reduced in 2023 Assembly election. People will definitely teach proper lesson to Congress party in the forthcoming election. We do not believe in toppling the government,' Mr. Agarwal said. While stating that he was not aware of any moves by the party to bring leaders K.S. Eshwarappa and Basavanagouda R. Patil Yatnal into the BJP, Mr. Agarwal said the BJP was a big party and it does not need leaders who have criticised the party. Mr. Eshwarappa and Mr. Yatnal have been removed from the party, he said. Mr. Agarwal said he was not authorised to either admit or deny BJP's move to change State BJP B.Y. Vijayendra. Changes will be decided by party's parliamentary board, he said.
