NEW DELHI: WhatsApp tops the list of social media platforms exploited by cybercriminals, according to the Union Home Ministry’s (MHA) latest annual report. The report reveals that 43,797 cyber fraud complaints were linked to WhatsApp in the first quarter of 2024, with Telegram (22,680 complaints) and Instagram (19,800 complaints) trailing closely.
Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging platforms like Google Ads to initiate fraudulent activities. These scams, including the notorious “Pig Butchering Scam,” target vulnerable groups like unemployed youths, students, and housewives, causing substantial financial losses.
The report highlights the abuse of Google’s Firebase domains for hosting phishing pages and Android banking malware, posing significant security threats. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has partnered with tech giants like Google and Facebook to flag fraudulent digital lending apps and unauthorized activities.
Organized cybercriminals extensively use sponsored Facebook ads to promote illegal lending apps, which I4C proactively identifies and reports for takedown. The platform’s efforts extend to training law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and judges in cybercrime investigation and digital forensics to combat the growing threat.
The MHA underscores the urgent need for collaboration between tech platforms and enforcement agencies to address the misuse of digital services and ensure public safety.
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