Cybercrime Ring Uses Bikini GIFs to Defraud Users and Undermine News
A cybercrime group, VexTrio, uses Instagram comments filled with GIFs of women in bikinis to direct users to malicious websites, defrauding them and undermining news media's credibility; the operation is linked to a Russian server.
Cybercrime Ring Uses Bikini GIFs to Defraud Users and Undermine News
A cybercrime group, VexTrio, uses Instagram comments filled with GIFs of women in bikinis to direct users to malicious websites, defrauding them and undermining news media's credibility; the operation is linked to a Russian server.
Progress
20% Bias Score
Irkutsk Oblast Scams Result in 43.9 Million Ruble Loss
Scammers in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, stole 43.9 million rubles in the first half of 2025 through various methods, including investment schemes, fake emergency calls, and fraudulent communications from authorities; losses included 17.989 million rubles from investment scams, 8 million rubles from fake...
Irkutsk Oblast Scams Result in 43.9 Million Ruble Loss
Scammers in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, stole 43.9 million rubles in the first half of 2025 through various methods, including investment schemes, fake emergency calls, and fraudulent communications from authorities; losses included 17.989 million rubles from investment scams, 8 million rubles from fake...
Progress
28% Bias Score
Romance Scam Results in 20-Year Sentence, Allegedly Leads to Victim's Death
Nigerian national Anthony Ibekie and his co-conspirators defrauded victims of $3.5 million through an online romance scam, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence for Ibekie and allegedly causing the death of one victim, Laura Kowal, who sent nearly $2 million to the scammers before being found dead ...
Romance Scam Results in 20-Year Sentence, Allegedly Leads to Victim's Death
Nigerian national Anthony Ibekie and his co-conspirators defrauded victims of $3.5 million through an online romance scam, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence for Ibekie and allegedly causing the death of one victim, Laura Kowal, who sent nearly $2 million to the scammers before being found dead ...
Progress
44% Bias Score
Corporatization of Cryptocurrency Crime Exceeds \$51 Billion in 2024
Chainalysis's 2024 report reveals that cryptocurrency crime, exceeding \$51 billion, has evolved into corporate-style criminal enterprises offering "crime-as-a-service", utilizing stablecoins (63% of volume), and employing sophisticated risk management strategies, presenting significant challenges f...
Corporatization of Cryptocurrency Crime Exceeds \$51 Billion in 2024
Chainalysis's 2024 report reveals that cryptocurrency crime, exceeding \$51 billion, has evolved into corporate-style criminal enterprises offering "crime-as-a-service", utilizing stablecoins (63% of volume), and employing sophisticated risk management strategies, presenting significant challenges f...
Progress
32% Bias Score
Rise in Professionalized Digital Scams
A recent podcast episode on "Aha! Behind True Crime" details the rise in professionalized digital scams, highlighting tactics used by international criminal networks and emphasizing the importance of public awareness and preventative measures.
Rise in Professionalized Digital Scams
A recent podcast episode on "Aha! Behind True Crime" details the rise in professionalized digital scams, highlighting tactics used by international criminal networks and emphasizing the importance of public awareness and preventative measures.
Progress
24% Bias Score
Japan's COVID-19 Toll After Five Years: 70 Million Infections, 130,000 Deaths
Five years after Japan's first confirmed COVID-19 case, over 70 million infections and 130,000 deaths are recorded, with seasonal outbreaks continuing despite a decline in yearly fatalities.
Japan's COVID-19 Toll After Five Years: 70 Million Infections, 130,000 Deaths
Five years after Japan's first confirmed COVID-19 case, over 70 million infections and 130,000 deaths are recorded, with seasonal outbreaks continuing despite a decline in yearly fatalities.
Progress
20% Bias Score
Mexican Scientist Arrested for Aiding North Korean Sanctions Evasion
A Mexican scientist was arrested in the Netherlands for allegedly using his identity to help two North Korean operatives develop smartphone apps for US companies, generating at least \$866,000 that was laundered through a Chinese bank account and ultimately benefited the North Korean regime.
Mexican Scientist Arrested for Aiding North Korean Sanctions Evasion
A Mexican scientist was arrested in the Netherlands for allegedly using his identity to help two North Korean operatives develop smartphone apps for US companies, generating at least \$866,000 that was laundered through a Chinese bank account and ultimately benefited the North Korean regime.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Cyber Trading Fraud: Deepfakes and Millions in Losses
A podcast episode on "Aha! Behind True Crime" exposes cyber-trading fraud techniques, including the use of deepfakes and deceptive platforms, highlighting challenges faced by law enforcement and resulting in millions of euros in losses.
Cyber Trading Fraud: Deepfakes and Millions in Losses
A podcast episode on "Aha! Behind True Crime" exposes cyber-trading fraud techniques, including the use of deepfakes and deceptive platforms, highlighting challenges faced by law enforcement and resulting in millions of euros in losses.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Chicago Residents Sentenced in \$3.5 Million Romance Scam
Three Chicago-area residents were sentenced for their roles in a romance scam network that defrauded victims of over \$3.5 million; sentences ranged from probation to 20 years in prison, highlighting the use of money mules and the devastating impact on victims.
Chicago Residents Sentenced in \$3.5 Million Romance Scam
Three Chicago-area residents were sentenced for their roles in a romance scam network that defrauded victims of over \$3.5 million; sentences ranged from probation to 20 years in prison, highlighting the use of money mules and the devastating impact on victims.
Progress
40% Bias Score
International Fraud Scheme Results in Prison Sentences and Restitution
Three individuals were sentenced for their involvement in a Nigerian-based mail and wire fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable U.S. citizens, resulting in over \$2 million in losses between 2017 and 2022, with one defendant facing deportation.
International Fraud Scheme Results in Prison Sentences and Restitution
Three individuals were sentenced for their involvement in a Nigerian-based mail and wire fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable U.S. citizens, resulting in over \$2 million in losses between 2017 and 2022, with one defendant facing deportation.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Turkish Police Bust $1 Billion Cryptocurrency Fraud
Turkish police arrested 21 individuals involved in a 30 billion 478 million 473 thousand TL ($1 billion USD) Ponzi scheme, seizing 752 bank and cryptocurrency accounts across nine provinces in Operation SIBERAG-15.
Turkish Police Bust $1 Billion Cryptocurrency Fraud
Turkish police arrested 21 individuals involved in a 30 billion 478 million 473 thousand TL ($1 billion USD) Ponzi scheme, seizing 752 bank and cryptocurrency accounts across nine provinces in Operation SIBERAG-15.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Lower Saxony Sees Sharp Drop in Reported Love Scams in 2024
Reported love scams in Lower Saxony, Germany, significantly decreased in 2024 to under 100 cases by November, down from several hundred in 2021, due to increased awareness campaigns by police and dating platforms; however, a high number of unreported cases likely remain.
Lower Saxony Sees Sharp Drop in Reported Love Scams in 2024
Reported love scams in Lower Saxony, Germany, significantly decreased in 2024 to under 100 cases by November, down from several hundred in 2021, due to increased awareness campaigns by police and dating platforms; however, a high number of unreported cases likely remain.
Progress
24% Bias Score