Scammers Hijack Indian Government Websites to Promote Illegal Betting
In a concerning cybersecurity breach, scammers have successfully planted malicious advertisements on multiple Indian government websites, redirecting unsuspecting visitors to online betting platforms. This alarming discovery highlights vulnerabilities in India’s digital infrastructure.
The Scope of the Security Breach
TechCrunch’s investigation revealed:
- Dozens of compromised links across state government domains (gov.in)
- Affected states include Bihar, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, and Telangana
- High-profile targets including state police and property tax department websites
- Search engine indexing made these malicious links easily discoverable on Google
The fraudulent ads promoted platforms claiming to be:
- “Asia’s most popular online betting platform”
- “The number one online cricket betting app in India”
- Offering bets on major cricket tournaments like the Indian Premier League
Image Credits: Google / TechCrunch
Response from Cybersecurity Authorities
Upon discovery, TechCrunch immediately alerted CERT-In (India’s Computer Emergency Response Team), providing:
- Detailed documentation of the breach
- Specific examples of compromised government websites
The cybersecurity agency responded promptly:
- Acknowledged receipt of the alert
- Escalated the matter to relevant authorities
- Confirmed coordination with responsible agencies for remediation
“We have taken up with the concerned authority for appropriate action,” CERT-In stated in an official response.
Ongoing Security Concerns
Key unanswered questions remain:
- Exploit method: How scammers gained access to government websites
- Duration: How long the redirects were active before detection
- Remediation: Whether the security flaw has been fully patched
This incident follows a similar pattern observed in June 2023, when TechCrunch reported scammers advertising hacking services on U.S. government websites through security vulnerabilities.
Implications for Digital Security
This breach underscores:
- The growing sophistication of cybercriminals
- The need for enhanced website security protocols
- The importance of regular security audits for government digital assets
As online scams become increasingly prevalent, this incident serves as a critical reminder for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity measures and maintain vigilant monitoring of their digital properties.
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