As the highly anticipated G20 summit in 2023 draws closer, India finds itself on high alert due to the emergence of several G20 scams. These scams pose a significant threat to the upcoming summit in New Delhi as hackers exploit them to launch cyberattacks, putting G20 cyber security at risk. Government websites have become the latest targets, and unsuspecting users have fallen victim to these G20 cyber attacks.
The 2023 G20 New Delhi summit, which will be the eighteenth meeting of the G20, is scheduled to take place at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre. This summit is a historic event for South Asia as it marks India’s inaugural hosting of a G20 summit. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the summit, taking over the presidency from Indonesia in December 2022. The agenda of the summit will address crucial global issues such as green development, inclusive growth, sustainable development goals, technological innovation, and women-led development.
However, these G20 scams are targeting netizens and jeopardizing national security in the lead-up to the G20 India Summit 2023. Shortly before the summit, there has been a surge in G20 scams, primarily targeting individuals through fake government websites. One particular scam uncovered by The Cyber Express is the ‘Your Device Is Locked’ pop-up scam, which pressures users to pay to unlock their devices. This type of online scam preys on the fear of compromised security and uses shock tactics to convince users that their personal information is at risk.
The purported Indian Police website (police.gov.in) has been found to display a fake “Your Device Is Locked” error, accompanied by a prompt for payment to restore access. Interestingly, this error primarily affects individuals who access the site through links rather than direct searches on Google. These G20 scams escalate by applying psychological pressure on victims. The fraudulent message cites offenses such as the promotion of explicit content and threatens severe consequences unless a fine of 30,651 rupees is paid. The scam falsely claims legal backing under the Indian Penal Code, adding authenticity to the G20 cyber attack.
The perpetrators behind these scams go beyond mere phishing attempts. They employ sophisticated scripts and utilize payment platforms to dupe victims further. It’s not only government websites that are targeted; prominent threat actors and anti-Indian hacker groups have also joined in this campaign to target the country. Their sights are set on individuals attending the G20 summit in India, including VIPs. This raises concerns about the overall G20 cyber security.
In response to these G20 cyber security incidents, India’s security apparatus has been mobilized. With over 50 VIPs expected to attend, concerns about potential cyber threats loom large. A collaborative effort involving key stakeholders has been initiated to fortify security protocols and prevent any G20 cyber attacks or incidents that could harm the summit and its attendees. The Indian Air Force has taken the command to safeguard Indian airspace over Delhi during the G20 Summit 2023. Additionally, several cybersecurity agencies, both governmental and non-governmental, as well as journalists, are closely monitoring the event to hinder any threats targeting the G20 summit.
The G20 summit in India was anticipated as a milestone event, but it is now under threat from hackers and scammers using these G20 scams and cyberattacks. However, the timely response of Indian security agencies and the collaborative efforts with various stakeholders demonstrate a resolute commitment to upholding G20 cyber security. As the global stage converges in New Delhi, India, the nation stands united to safeguard this global event against potential disruptions.