Case Studies from Indian News Websites
Case 1: Cryptocurrency Scam Using VPNs

Modus Operandi: Anonymized Transactions via VPN
Explanation:
- Fraudsters used VPNs to hide their real IP addresses while conducting cryptocurrency transactions.
- VPNs allowed them to access restricted exchanges that were banned in India.
- Transactions were routed through multiple VPN servers in different countries, making them difficult to trace.
- Authorities faced challenges in identifying the perpetrators due to encrypted and obfuscated financial activity.
Case 2: Child Exploitation Content Shared via VPNs

Modus Operandi: Dark Web Access via VPN
Explanation:
- Offenders used VPNs to enter the dark web, which hosts hidden illegal marketplaces.
- VPN encryption ensured anonymity, making it difficult for law enforcement to track the users.
- Perpetrators bypassed regional restrictions to upload, download, and distribute illicit content.
- The use of multiple VPN layers made it challenging to pinpoint their real locations.
Case 3: Ransomware Attack on Indian IT Firm

Modus Operandi: Network Infiltration via VPN Exploit
Explanation:
- Hackers identified vulnerabilities in the company’s VPN system to gain unauthorized entry.
- Once inside, they deployed ransomware that encrypted critical company data.
- Attackers demanded ransom payments in cryptocurrency to further anonymize their identities.
- The VPN-based access made it difficult for forensic teams to track the origin of the attack.
Case 4: Online Betting Syndicate Using VPNs

Modus Operandi: Geo-Restriction Bypass via VPN
Explanation:
- Illegal betting operators used VPNs to make it appear as if they were accessing legal betting platforms from authorized locations.
- VPNs enabled anonymous monetary transactions, preventing financial tracking by authorities.
- Encrypted communications allowed members to coordinate across different regions securely.
- The use of VPNs helped the syndicate evade detection for a long time before being exposed.
Case 5: Cyber Espionage Targeting Indian Government Agencies

Modus Operandi: Stealthy Government Network Infiltration via VPN
Explanation:
- Foreign entities used VPNs to infiltrate Indian government systems while masking their locations.
- Sensitive government data was stolen and transmitted via encrypted VPN tunnels.
- Attackers routed connections through multiple countries, preventing direct attribution.
- Authorities struggled to track the espionage operation due to sophisticated obfuscation techniques.