cybercrime

Poland is facing one of its largest ATM-related financial crimes in years.

Nearly 500 people across the country have lost money from their bank accounts due to a sophisticated skimming attack that copied their payment card data.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Bydgoszcz is leading the investigation, confirming that thieves managed to steal more than 2.2 million Polish złoty (about $604,000 USD) from Santander Bank Polska clients.

Organized Gang Targets Dozens of ATMs
Polish authorities have described the operation as a well-coordinated criminal scheme.

So far, nearly 200 official reports of unauthorized withdrawals have been filed, mainly in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Greater Poland regions.
Investigators suspect the criminals installed skimming devices on ATMs located at several Santander branches — at least two of them in Bydgoszcz.
“All indications point to a classic skimming attack — theft of card data from the magnetic stripe and its use for unauthorized withdrawals across the country,”

said Marcin Zagórski from the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC).
Zagórski added that, so far, no evidence suggests other banks were targeted, but the number of victims continues to rise.

Police are currently gathering evidence and analyzing surveillance footage from affected ATM locations.

Santander Responds: Blocked Cards and Automatic Refunds
Santander Bank Polska confirmed it is cooperating closely with investigators and that all affected customers have been refunded automatically.
The bank also blocked all cards that could have been compromised and warned clients to regularly check their accounts for suspicious transactions.
In a statement, the bank emphasized that the incident was regional in scope and did not compromise the integrity of its banking systems or contactless transactions.
“Customer safety is our absolute priority. We immediately implemented protective measures and compensated all verified losses,” a Santander spokesperson said.

How Skimming Works
Criminals typically install special devices known as “skimmers” directly onto an ATM’s card reader. These devices capture data from the card’s magnetic stripe, which is then used to create cloned copies of the card.
The duplicates are later used to withdraw cash or make fraudulent purchases, often before victims realize their money is gone.

Police Urge Citizens to Check Their Accounts
Investigators are urging anyone who suspects they’ve been affected to contact the nearest police station immediately.

Authorities also recommend:

🔹 Inspecting the ATM’s card reader and keypad before use

🔹 Covering your hand when entering your PIN

🔹 Regularly reviewing your account statements
According to prosecutor Agnieszka Adamska-Okońska from Bydgoszcz, the total loss is currently estimated at over 2.2 million PLN, but the number of victims may still increase as the investigation continues.

A Security Wake-Up Call for Europe
The Polish case highlights how traditional financial crimes remain highly effective, even in an era dominated by digital payments.

Experts stress the importance of raising financial awareness and enhancing ATM security technology.
While Polish authorities pursue the organized gang behind the attack, banks across Europe are watching closely to determine whether this could be part of a larger international network targeting other EU countries.


#poland , #cybercrime , #CyberSecurity , #fraud , #CryptoNews

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Key Highlights:

🔹 Crypto ATM scams are exploding in Massachusetts, causing millions in losses

🔹 Victims are losing tens of thousands of dollars, with police struggling to trace funds

🔹 South Hadley officials are proposing a full ban on crypto ATMs

Crypto ATM scams have become a growing crisis in Massachusetts, as both business owners and residents report a wave of sophisticated fraud. Police say the scams have already caused millions of dollars in damages, prompting local authorities to consider banning the machines—or at least enforcing tighter oversight.

How the Scams Work
One notable case involved a South Hadley shop owner who installed a crypto ATM as a side income. He earned $200 a month in rent plus a percentage of each transaction — a seemingly easy way to boost daily sales.
That changed when one of his employees received a fake phone call from a scammer pretending to be the owner. The scammer instructed the employee to deposit $11,000 into the crypto ATM — money that instantly vanished. Police have been unable to recover the funds.
Authorities say this is just one of many incidents. One resident lost $48,000, another $4,900, with most cases being nearly impossible to trace.

“These transactions are irreversible and practically untraceable,” said Police Chief Jennifer Gundersen. “We spend dozens of hours investigating, often without success.”

A Nationwide Problem
The problem extends far beyond Massachusetts. Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian told lawmakers that in 2024, the FBI received over 11,000 complaints related to crypto ATM fraud.

Victims collectively lost $247 million, marking a 99% increase in complaints and a 31% rise in total losses from the previous year.
A new bill, H 1247/S707, now before the state legislature, seeks to tighten consumer protection for crypto ATM users. The proposed law would:

🔹 Require operators to obtain money transmitter licenses

🔹 Mandate registration of every machine with the state banking commissioner

🔹 Enforce quarterly location reports

🔹 Impose a daily transaction limit of $1,000 per customer

South Hadley Moves to Ban the Machines
While the bill is still pending, Chief Gundersen has proposed a complete ban on crypto ATMs in South Hadley.

Under a plan modeled after ordinances in Waltham and Gloucester, store owners would have 30 days to remove their machines or face a $300 daily fine.
“Waltham saw the number of machines jump from four to fourteen within months,” Gundersen explained. “And in some cases, store owners helped elderly victims complete scam transactions because they were getting a cut of the money.”

Police Demand Stronger Oversight
Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Atallah said local departments now send him multiple crypto ATM scam cases every month.

“The scammers often pose as police officers or government officials, demanding that victims send money through these machines,” Atallah said. “Technically, it’s possible to trace these transactions — but in practice, it’s extremely difficult.”

Experts warn that only stronger regulation and public awareness can effectively curb the spread of crypto ATM scams, which remain one of the fastest-growing tools for money laundering and cyber fraud.


#CryptoFraud , #ATM , #cybercrime , #DigitalAssets , #BlockchainSecurity

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Poland is dealing with one of its most significant ATM-related financial crimes in recent memory. Nearly 500 people nationwide have lost money from their bank accounts following a sophisticated skimming attack that stole payment card data.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Bydgoszcz confirmed that the criminals managed to siphon off more than 2.2 million Polish złoty (around $604,000 USD) from Santander Bank Polska clients.
🏦 Organized Gang Targets Dozens of ATMs
According to authorities, the crime was a well-coordinated operation involving multiple ATM locations.

So far, around 200 official reports of unauthorized withdrawals have been filed, mostly in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Greater Poland regions.
Investigators believe the gang installed skimming devices on ATMs at several Santander Bank branches, including at least two in Bydgoszcz.

“All indications point to a classic skimming attack — theft of card data from the magnetic stripe and its use for unauthorized withdrawals across the country,”

said Marcin Zagórski from Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC).
Zagórski noted that, so far, there’s no evidence other banks were affected — but the number of victims is still growing.

Authorities are currently collecting evidence and reviewing surveillance footage from compromised ATMs.
💳 Santander Responds: Refunds and Security Measures
Santander Bank Polska confirmed it is fully cooperating with investigators. All affected customers have already been refunded automatically, and the bank has blocked potentially compromised cards.

In an official statement, Santander emphasized that the attack was regional in scope and did not compromise the integrity of its banking systems or contactless transactions.

“Customer safety is our absolute priority. We immediately implemented protective measures and compensated all verified losses,”

said a Santander spokesperson.
🔍 How ATM Skimming Works
Skimming involves attaching a hidden device to an ATM’s card reader. This “skimmer” copies data from the magnetic stripe of inserted cards. Criminals then use that information to create cloned cards, enabling unauthorized withdrawals or purchases before victims even realize their money is gone.
🚨 Police Urge Vigilance
Authorities are urging citizens to inspect ATMs carefully and check their bank accounts regularly.
Recommended precautions:

🔹 Look for unusual attachments on the card reader or keypad

🔹 Cover your hand when entering your PIN

🔹 Report suspicious transactions immediately
Prosecutor Agnieszka Adamska-Okońska from Bydgoszcz stated that total losses have already exceeded 2.2 million PLN, with the number of victims expected to rise as the investigation continues.
🌍 A Security Wake-Up Call for Europe

This case serves as a reminder that traditional financial crimes remain highly effective — even in today’s digitally driven world.
Cybersecurity experts stress the urgent need to upgrade ATM technology and boost consumer awareness. Meanwhile, banks across Europe are monitoring the situation closely amid concerns that the attack may be linked to a wider international network.
#Poland #CyberCrime #CyberSecurity #Fraud #CryptoNews
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Disclaimer:

The information and views presented in this article are for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Investing in cryptocurrencies or other financial assets carries risks that may result in financial loss.

A year after one of the biggest DeFi hacks of 2024, the Radiant Capital hacker has resurfaced — this time moving $10.8 million worth of Ethereum (2,834 ETH) through the privacy protocol Tornado Cash, effectively erasing the trail of stolen funds and making tracking nearly impossible for investigators.

Hacker Launders Millions in Ethereum
According to on-chain analytics platform CertiK, the attacker’s wallets recently funneled large sums of ETH through Tornado Cash, combining stolen assets with funds from previous swaps and bridge transfers.

The on-chain map shows the attacker moved funds via bridges like Stargate, Synapse, and Drift FastBridge into a primary wallet starting with 0x4afb, from which they began splitting the funds into smaller transactions.
One major route transferred 2,236 ETH from 0x4afb to 0x3fe4, then through three additional intermediary wallets before ending up in Tornado Cash.

In total, the hacker deposited 2,834 ETH into the mixer, effectively breaking the transaction trace.
Before this latest move, the attacker reportedly controlled 14,436 ETH and 35.29 million DAI, a total portfolio worth around $94.6 million.


From Exploit to Sophisticated Money Laundering
Radiant Capital was struck by a devastating attack on October 16, 2024, resulting in losses of $53 million.

The hacker managed to compromise three out of eleven multisig wallet authorizations, replacing the lending pool’s implementation contract to drain funds.

The attacker allegedly used INLETDRIFT malware, designed to infiltrate macOS hardware.
After the exploit, the hacker converted the stolen funds into 21,957 ETH, then worth $53 million.

Instead of immediately cashing out, they held the assets for nearly a year, allowing their value to rise to over $94 million as Ethereum’s price surged.

FBI and Blockchain Forensics Still Chasing Leads
Radiant Capital continues to work with the FBI, Chainalysis, SEAL911, and ZeroShadow to trace and recover the stolen funds.

However, investigators admit that Tornado Cash complicates the process, as the mixer combines cryptocurrencies from thousands of users, destroying transaction linkability.
A report by cybersecurity firm Mandiant later suggested the hack was likely orchestrated by North Korea–linked group AppleJeus, a long-standing part of Pyongyang’s cyber network known for state-sponsored crypto theft.

Radiant Capital Hit Twice in One Year
The October 2024 incident wasn’t the first blow.

Earlier that year, Radiant Capital suffered a flash-loan exploit worth $4.5 million.

Despite these breaches, the DeFi protocol continues to rebuild, implementing enhanced security frameworks, multi-layer authentication systems, and independent smart contract audits to prevent future attacks.


#cryptohacks , #defi , #Ethereum , #TornadoCash , #cybercrime

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Seized Notebooks Revealed Sophisticated Scams
Hong Kong police uncovered a sophisticated fraud scheme that used artificial intelligence to deceive victims. The investigation led to the seizure of over HK$34 million (approximately USD 3.37 million). Notebooks confiscated by law enforcement revealed the criminals' methods, including the use of deepfake technology to appear more convincing.
How the Fraudsters Lured Their Victims
The fraudsters pretended to be wealthy single women, crafting stories about interests such as learning Japanese, playing golf, or tasting luxury wines worth over HK$100,000 (USD 12,850) per bottle. These methods were documented in the notebooks seized during the operation.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of 31 individuals connected to a criminal syndicate. This group used artificial intelligence to create realistic images of attractive women, which were then used to lure victims into romantic and investment scams.
The Problem of Deepfake Scams
Byron Boston, a former police officer and CEO of Crypto Track, warned that the combination of deepfake technology and social engineering presents significant challenges for investigators and law enforcement. AI-generated images make criminals more convincing and enable them to execute more complex scams.
Boston highlighted an incident from November 2022, where a fake video impersonating FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was used in a phishing attack targeting FTX users. This incident demonstrates how deepfake technologies can be exploited to steal cryptocurrency assets from victims.
Scams Targeting Young People
Confiscated materials revealed that the fraudsters specifically targeted young people seeking quick earnings. Victims were often convinced they were communicating with ideal women from Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Challenges in Combating These Crimes
Boston emphasized that effective collaboration and swift action are key to fighting these sophisticated scams. However, he noted that many local law enforcement agencies, particularly in the U.S., lack the necessary tools and expertise to track stolen cryptocurrency or cooperate with international exchanges.
Criminals leveraging technologies like deepfake and social engineering remain a significant challenge for security forces worldwide.

#Deepfake , #CryptoFraud , #CryptoScams , #cybercrime , #CryptoNewss

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Lucknow, India – In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Indian authorities have apprehended ten individuals in connection with a sophisticated crypto-laundering operation suspected of having strong ties to Chinese cyber fraud syndicates. 🚨 This decisive action highlights India's escalating efforts to combat financial illicit activities in the burgeoning world of digital assets. 🌐💪
According to officials, the arrested individuals were part of a well-organized network that facilitated the movement of ill-gotten gains for a Chinese gang. 🇨🇳😈 This gang allegedly defrauded countless individuals through various online scams, 🎣💸 with the proceeds then being funneled through an elaborate system of "mule accounts" 🐴💼 and converted into cryptocurrency, primarily USDT (Tether). 🪙🔗
"These arrests are a crucial step in dismantling an intricate web of financial crime," stated a senior police official. 👮‍♂️ "The accused acted as a crucial link, converting black money into untraceable digital assets and sending it abroad." ✈️🌍
Investigators revealed that in the past two months alone, an estimated ₹75-80 lakh (approximately $90,000 - $96,000 USD) was siphoned off and transferred to the Chinese handlers. 😮💰 The illicit transactions were often carried out via encrypted Telegram channels, 💬🔒 making them incredibly difficult to trace. The gang deliberately avoided legitimate crypto exchanges, opting for the TRC-20 network to facilitate these stealthy transfers. 👻💨
Among the ten arrested from various locations including Lucknow, Gonda, and Raebareli, two have reportedly turned government witnesses, agreeing to cooperate with the authorities and shed more light on the inner workings of this transnational criminal enterprise. 🗣️🤝 This development is expected to provide valuable intelligence, potentially leading to further arrests and the unraveling of the larger network. 🔍🌐
This bust serves as a stark reminder of the global challenges posed by cryptocurrency-related financial crimes. 🌎🚨 While digital currencies offer immense potential, they also present new avenues for criminals to launder money and evade traditional financial oversight. 🕵️‍♀️💰
India has been actively strengthening its legal and regulatory framework to tackle such crimes. 🇮🇳⚖️ The inclusion of Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the requirement for crypto exchanges to register as reporting entities with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) are significant steps in this direction. 📊✍️
This latest operation underscores the commitment of Indian law enforcement agencies to protect citizens from online fraud and ensure financial security in the digital age. 🛡️💻 It also highlights the growing international collaboration needed to combat cybercriminals who operate across borders with increasing sophistication. 🤝🌐

Stay vigilant, stay safe! 🚨🔒 Always be wary of unsolicited offers promising quick returns, and ensure you use only regulated and legitimate platforms for your digital asset transactions. Your financial safety is paramount! 🙏💸
#CyberCrime #CryptoNews🔒📰🚫

The Indian government has cracked down on a global crypto fraud scheme—freezing nearly $5 million worth of assets belonging to a citizen currently imprisoned in the United States for running a large-scale phishing operation involving fake Coinbase websites. The man behind the scheme, 31-year-old Chirag Tomar, is now serving a five-year sentence in a U.S. federal prison.

Fake Coinbase, Real Damage
Tomar exploited users' trust in the popular exchange Coinbase by creating sophisticated fake websites that harvested login credentials. Victims were then redirected to fake customer support hotlines, where scammers used social engineering to obtain security codes or remote access to users' computers—ultimately draining their crypto wallets.
Investigators revealed that Tomar stole over $72 million in digital assets through this scheme. He laundered the stolen funds via trading platforms and converted them into Indian rupees. According to India's Enforcement Directorate (ED), Tomar spent the money on luxury watches, sports cars like Lamborghinis and Porsches, and expensive travel.

18 Properties, Frozen Accounts & Ongoing Investigation
India responded decisively to Tomar’s fraud. Authorities froze 18 properties in Delhi and bank accounts linked to his family and business partners. The seized assets are valued at $4.8 million. The case remains active, and further investigation is underway.
“Escaping crypto fraud is no longer possible—criminals will be tracked, exposed, and jailed,” said Sudhakar Lakshmanaraja of the Digital South Trust.
Officials believe this may be just the tip of the iceberg. Raids have already been conducted in Delhi and Mumbai, and further asset seizures or arrests may follow as authorities continue to trace money tied to the international scam network.

#Cryptoscam , #PhishingAlert , #CryptoCrime , #cybercrime , #CryptoNews

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

What Happened?

On August 8, 2025, international law enforcement scored a big win by shutting down the infamous BlackSuit ransomware gang. This group had been using cryptocurrency to demand millions of dollars in ransom from over 450 victims, hitting critical sectors like healthcare and education. But the battle isn’t over — a new group called Chaos has appeared, likely made up of ex-BlackSuit members, continuing the crypto-powered crime spree.

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Why It Matters for Crypto and Business 💼💰

Crypto at the Heart of Cybercrime: BlackSuit used Bitcoin and privacy coins like Monero to collect ransom payments anonymously. This shows how cryptocurrencies, while revolutionary, can also fuel illegal activities.
Big Disruption, Bigger Challenges: The takedown of BlackSuit’s servers and crypto wallets interrupts their operations, protecting businesses and public services. But the rise of Chaos means cybercriminals are evolving fast.

Dark Web Markets Still Thriving: Marketplaces like Abacus and STYX keep selling stolen data, drugs, and hacking tools—all paid for in cryptocurrencies. They’ve upgraded security with features like two-factor authentication and encrypted messaging to stay a step ahead of the law.

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BlackSuit Takedown — The Details 🕵️‍♂️

Led by U.S. agencies and partners from around the world, Operation Checkmate took down the digital infrastructure that allowed BlackSuit to launch attacks and launder millions in crypto.

BlackSuit’s ransomware would lock down data and threaten to leak it unless paid, demanding anywhere from $1 million up to $60 million in cryptocurrency.

The operation is a major win for business security but highlights how ransomware gangs rely on crypto’s anonymity to operate globally.

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What’s Next? The Rise of Chaos 🔥

Chaos ransomware started appearing earlier in 2025, targeting organizations with ransom demands up to $300,000, still paid in crypto.

Experts believe Chaos is BlackSuit 2.0 — using similar hacking tools but trying to stay under the radar.

This shows cybercriminals quickly adapt, making it crucial for businesses to stay alert and strengthen defenses.

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Dark Web Markets: The Crypto Connection 🌐💸

Illegal online markets continue selling stolen credit cards, personal data, counterfeit goods, and hacking tools.

These markets rely heavily on cryptocurrencies for payments, making it tough for authorities to track transactions.

They use advanced security like encrypted chats and two-factor authentication to protect buyers and sellers from getting caught.

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Final Thoughts
The takedown of BlackSuit is a big step forward in fighting crypto-fueled cybercrime. However, with new ransomware gangs like Chaos rising and dark web markets evolving, the threat to businesses remains real. Understanding how cryptocurrencies are used in these crimes is key for companies to protect their data and assets in today’s digital world.

Stay smart, stay secure! 🔐
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#CryptoSecurity #RansomwareAlert #cybercrime #blockchain #BusinessSafety