Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India ranks 10th in global cybercrime, finds study

India has been placed 10th in the world for cybercrime activities, with advance fee fraud being the most prevalent type, a new study involving cybercrime experts globally has revealed.

India ranks 10th in global cybercrime, finds study

India has been placed 10th in the world for cybercrime activities, with advance fee fraud being the most prevalent type, a new study involving cybercrime experts globally has revealed.

The study, leading to the creation of the 'World Cybercrime Index,' ranks about 100 countries based on their involvement in various cybercrime categories, such as ransomware, credit card theft, and scams.


The research, published in the PLoS ONE journal, lists Russia as the leading country in cybercrime, followed by Ukraine, China, the US, Nigeria, and Romania.

North Korea, the UK, and Brazil are ranked seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively. Experts participating in the survey were asked to identify countries contributing significantly to major cybercrime types.

These types include technical services like malware, attacks and extortion including ransomware, data and identity theft, scams such as advance fee fraud, and cashing out or money laundering through virtual currency.

The survey, conducted from March to October 2021, received 92 complete responses.

Findings show that the top six countries are prevalent across all cybercrime categories, with some countries specialising in specific types.

"Russia and Ukraine are highly technical cybercrime hubs, whereas Nigerian cybercriminals are engaged in less technical forms of cybercrime," the study states.

Countries are found to specialise in crimes ranging from high-tech to low-tech, with India identified as specialising in scams. Romania and the US, like India, were found to specialise in both high-tech and low-tech crimes, positioning India as a "balanced hub" for mid-tech cybercrimes.

"Each country has a distinct profile, indicating a unique local dimension," the authors noted. Miranda Bruce, a co-author from the University of Oxford, UK, highlighted the importance of the findings: "We now have a deeper understanding of the geography of cybercrime, and how different countries specialise in different types of cybercrime."

The surveyed experts were professionals with at least five years of experience in cybercrime intelligence, investigation, and attribution, known for their excellent reputation among peers.

(PTI)

More For You

Thousands stranded as World War II bomb halts travel

Passengers queue to take a bus from Opera district, in order to reach Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport (CDG), as train traffic has been stopped at the Gare du Nord station in Paris on March 7, 2025, following the discovery of a World War II bomb. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images)

Thousands stranded as World War II bomb halts travel

THOUSANDS of passengers in Paris and London were stranded on Friday (7) after the discovery of a World War II bomb on tracks leading to the Gare du Nord station halted traffic at France's busiest railway terminus.

All traffic to the train station, which serves international, high-speed and local connections, was halted as police worked to disable the device. All Eurostar trains in Paris were cancelled.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kyle-Clifford-Reuters

Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)

Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend

A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.

Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less
modern-slavery-reuters

A suspected victim of modern slavery, who was initially denied state support after Britain introduced a tougher immigration policy, poses for a portrait following an interview with Reuters in London on September 19, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

UK sees record rise in modern slavery cases

THE NUMBER of people referred as potential victims of modern slavery in the UK reached a record high last year, according to official figures released on Thursday. Experts have called for urgent policy changes to tackle the growing issue.

Home Office data showed 19,125 referrals were made to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in 2024, the highest recorded so far. The figure surpassed the previous record of around 17,000 referrals in 2023. The NRM is the UK's system for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery.

Keep ReadingShow less
mohammed-shami-getty

Shami is currently in Dubai as part of India’s squad for the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy and is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far. (Photo: Getty Images)

Cleric says cricketer Mohammed Shami committed sin by not fasting

A MUSLIM cleric in India has criticised cricketer Mohammed Shami for not fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, calling it a sin under Islamic law.

Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, said on Thursday that the Indian pace bowler had violated religious obligations by not observing the fast.

Keep ReadingShow less
London Court Sentences Chinese Student for Drugging & Rape

Zhenhao Zou, 28, lived in south London and used online platforms and dating apps to meet women, according to London’s Metropolitan Police. (Photo: Reuters)

London court convicts Chinese student of drugging, raping women

A CHINESE student has been found guilty by a London court of drugging and raping 10 women in the UK and China. British police suspect he may have attacked more than 50 other women.

Zhenhao Zou, 28, lived in south London and used online platforms and dating apps to meet women, according to London’s Metropolitan Police (MPS).

Keep ReadingShow less