A recent cybercrime case from Bengaluru highlights how casually sharing banking access, even with someone trusted, can lead to serious legal and financial consequences. An engineering student allegedly found himself linked to cyber fraud transactions worth nearly ₹7 crore after allowing a friend to temporarily use his bank account. According to the complaint, the student […]
Continue Reading
From Shahid Kapoor to Zendaya, wired earphones are back in style. But is it just a fashion, or is there something more serious going on? Let’s break down the trend. The wired headphones are making a big and unexpected comeback! Yes, those “boomer”, messy, tangled wired headphones are trending again — and how! From Indian […]
Continue Reading
Public fear and uncertainty are increasingly becoming tools for cybercriminals. A recent advisory issued by Delhi Police highlights how fraudsters are exploiting rumours of LPG cylinder shortages to target unsuspecting citizens through fake calls, malicious links, and fraudulent mobile applications. Fact Crescendo and Factree analysed this emerging scam pattern to understand how panic-driven misinformation fuels […]
Continue Reading
Cyber fraud in India is evolving rapidly, and many people unknowingly become part of these criminal networks. Recent investigations across several states have revealed a growing dependence on “mule accounts”, ordinary bank accounts used to move stolen money during online scams. Fact Crescendo (Factree) analysed recent cybercrime cases to understand how mule accounts work, why […]
Continue Reading
The rise of artificial intelligence has made digital fraud more convincing than ever. A recent cyber fraud case from Bengaluru highlights how scammers are increasingly using deepfake technology and fake investment advertisements to deceive people into transferring money. In this case, an 80-year-old senior advocate from Devanahalli allegedly lost over ₹40,000 after watching a manipulated […]
Continue Reading
A recent hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius has raised global concern after multiple passengers fell ill and at least three deaths were reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed several hantavirus cases connected to the ship . India has started precautionary surveillance after reports that two Indian nationals were on-board the affected […]
Continue Reading
Reports circulating on social media claim that Meta is “shutting down Messenger in April 2026.” The confusion stems from Meta’s decision to discontinue Messenger’s standalone website and previously end its desktop apps. Here is what is actually changing and what will continue to work. Social Media Posts Some social media users shared that Messenger (or […]
Continue Reading
An outbreak of the Nipah virus in West Bengal has sparked widespread panic in India and South Asia. In mid-January at least five health workers in West Bengal had been infected. President of AIIMS Bilaspur, and Chairman of India’s Covid-19 Working Group at the National Technical Advisory Group, Dr Narendra Kumar Arora said that both […]
Continue Reading
We all use Google to search for almost everything. It is quick and convenient to know anything. But scammers have also found a way to take advantage of this habit, turning a simple Google search into a trap that can cost you your hard-earned money. A father and daughter from Ranchi learnt this lesson the […]
Continue Reading
The reach of smartphones, online banking, and instant payments has made life easier in many ways. According to Government of India, more than 86 percent of households now have internet access. But with this growth comes a serious and growing challenge: online scams. Recently, Press Information Bureau (PIB) released a report on the growing challenge […]
Continue Reading
Image Credit: Google Gemini Old coins often carry sentimental value, but lately, they’ve also become bait for online fraud. Across India, scammers are running ads on Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp claiming that ordinary coins like a ₹2 cupro-nickel coin could fetch ₹5 lakh or more. For many, it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn […]
Continue Reading
Image Credits: ChatGPT Have you ever received an SMS or WhatsApp message saying, “Your traffic challan is pending, pay immediately to avoid penalty”? Across India, scammers are using fake traffic challans to steal people’s money and personal data. These messages look urgent and official — often with links that mimic government websites. But in reality, […]
Continue Reading
Image Credits: Created by ChatGPT Why This Matters QR codes have become part of everyday life from paying at a tea stall to scanning tickets at events. They’re fast, convenient, and everywhere. But that’s exactly why scammers love them too. A harmless-looking square can actually be a gateway to fraud. At Fact Crescendo, we’ve been […]
Continue Reading
Image Credits: ChatGPT QR codes are everywhere today from restaurant menus and metro tickets to paying your neighborhood shopkeeper. Scanning a code feels quick and harmless. But did you know that fraudsters are using fake QR codes to steal money and data? At Fact Crescendo, we’ve verified several suspicious QR codes sent in by readers, […]
Continue Reading
Credit: SME Futures Why This Matters:In today’s digital world, finding jobs online has become the norm. But along with genuine opportunities, the internet has also opened the doors for scammers who exploit job seekers. Fake job offers are increasingly circulating on WhatsApp, Telegram, email, social media, and even job portals, luring people with promises of […]
Continue Reading
Recently, some explicit photos and videos of a young woman went viral on social media. It has been claimed that the young woman is from Assam and her name is Archita Phukan, who has recently made her debut in the porn industry. The photos and videos of the young woman were widely shared by many […]
Continue Reading
The UAE Government warns to take legal action against those spreading such rumours or collecting money by misleading people. For the last couple of days, there has been a lot of excitement among people who want to move to the UAE. A viral news story claimed Indians could get a lifetime the UAE Golden Visa […]
Continue Reading
How sensationalism and warmongering distort truth in TV news media If you watch TV news channels in India and Pakistan, you may not be wrong to think the real war is not just at the border but it is also being fought inside TV studios. One takes lives; the other twists truth. In this battle […]
Continue Reading
When celebrities and popular people endorse food brands, those become popular quickly. When they abandon the endorsements, a lot of questions emerge about those brands. Cadbury Chocolates recently faced such a situation. Social Media Posts Viral posts are being shared on social media, claiming that Cadbury’s products are no longer what they used to be […]
Continue Reading
After the COVID-19 pandemic, China is once again making headlines, this time due to a potential new viral outbreak. A respiratory virus called Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is reportedly causing a rise in infections in China. Videos showing what appear to be overcrowded hospitals are spreading quickly across social media, fueling speculation of a new health […]
Continue Reading
Cybercriminals are taking advantage of unsecured public Wi-Fi networks to carry out banking scams, leaving victims devastated. When people connect to Wi-Fi in places like coffee shops, airports, or hotels, they often don’t realize how vulnerable they are. These networks are easy targets for hackers who can intercept sensitive information like bank login details and […]
Continue Reading
Advisory notices placed by food and beverage brands often get widely discussed on social media platforms. However, these posts are sometimes misleading as they do not have proper context. Social Media Posts A viral claim circulating on social media platforms asserts that Milo, the popular malted chocolate drink, is “very unhealthy for children below 6 […]
Continue Reading
The Internet connects job seekers to their dream opportunities. Unfortunately, it’s also a breeding ground for scammers targeting unsuspecting individuals. A new job scam is making the rounds on social media, especially on LinkedIn, involving fake offers for air hostess positions with well-known airlines. This scam, cloaked in the promise of a prestigious role and […]
Continue Reading
The marriage season has started and social media is flooded with so many photos and videos of people getting married. Recently, a photo came to our notice where an Indian bride was standing with the groom wearing a yellow bikini along with a Dupatta and jewellery. Sharing the photo on Facebook, users wrote that the […]
Continue Reading
On 14 August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Since January 2023, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported more than 22,000 suspect Mpox cases and more than 1,200 deaths. Apart from DRC, the virus is also spreading to neighbouring countries like Burundi, […]
Continue Reading
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began on 24 June 2024. President Draupadi Murmu administered oath to BJP legislator Bhartruhari Mahtab as the protem speaker. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took charge as the Leader of Opposition (LOP) in Lok Sabha. Veteran BJP leader Om Birla was elected the speaker for a consecutive second […]
Continue Reading
Subscribe to our WhatsApp Channel A photo was recently shared widely among social media users, claiming that an edition of Chuti Baba magazine, a monthly educational tabloid for preschoolers, had published a picture of an ‘ear’ where the description was, in fact, for an ‘eye.’ Let’s look at the claim in detail. Social Media Posts: […]
Continue Reading
The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risk Report states misinformation and disinformation is the top global risk over the short term of two years. As per the report, India will be facing the highest risk of misinformation and disinformation among all countries. The report studied at different risks countries might face in the next ten […]
Continue Reading
To navigate this information landscape successfully, media literacy becomes a crucial skill. In the era of social media, distinguishing between credible news and misinformation is more challenging than ever. The sheer volume of information creates confusion and makes it hard to separate actual events from misleading or false depictions. To navigate this information landscape successfully, […]
Continue Reading
Unexplained Pneumonia Surge in China Sparks Global Concern; WHO says no need to panic With the world still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, any unusual outbreak raises concerns about its potential for rapid spread and impact. In such a concerning turn of events, China is grappling with a surge in cases of an unidentified respiratory […]
Continue Reading
Have you ever experienced the delightful surprise of reaching into the pocket of an old pair of jeans only to find a forgotten Rs 100 note? What an unexpected joy is that! Well, imagine that same feeling, but on a much grander scale. Imagine learning that you or your deceased family members have money lying […]
Continue Reading
The new law aims to simplify the registration process and promises to empower publishers and streamline media registration In a landmark move, Rajya Sabha passed the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023. The new legislature is set to replace the century-old Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which governed the registration of newspapers […]
Continue Reading
Learn how to Spot Deepfake Scams and essential steps to safeguard from Sophisticated Cyber Scammers Imagine, you receive a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. The sender is someone claiming to be your colleague or friend in dire need of financial help. What would you do? How would you respond? How would you know they […]
Continue Reading
A shocking video emerged on Wednesday, showing a large mob of men parading two naked women in Manipur. The horrifying footage has sent shockwaves across the nation, raising serious concerns about the escalating violence and human rights violations amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in the region. Calls for justice are pouring in from every segment […]
Continue Reading