Connect with us

Latest News

Google And Facebook Became Victims of $100 Mn Payment Scam

Published

on

GOOGLE AND FACEBOOK BECAME VICTIMS OF $100 MN PAYMENT SCAM,Startup Stories,Startup Stories India,Inspiration Stories,2017 Most Read Startup Stories,Google Latest News,Facebook Latest News,Evaldas Rimasauskas,Facebook and Google Scammed,Lithuanian Man

Major internet giants Google and Facebook became victims of nearly $100 million payment scam. Phishing scammers targeted the employees of these two tech giants eventually making them their prey.

A European based fraud Evaldas Rimasauskas was arrested recently for duping employees of Facebook and Google. In March, a story was out that a Lithuanian man was arrested on being charged for an email phishing scam against two US-based technology companies, by then, the names of the companies weren’t disclosed by them.

Two days back, reports were out that the companies were none other than Google and Facebook. And there are also proofs that the companies transferred almost $100 million to the conman’s account.

This is how the companies got tricked

This 48-year-old Evaldas managed to establish a company and named his company same as that of Asian Computer manufacturer company. He then sent out phishing emails to the employees of Google as well as Facebook. He intelligently targetted only those people who transfer money from their companies to their vendors. Without a second thought, the employees started transferring the money thinking they are actually sending out to their vendors.

Once he received all the money from the two companies, he started to wire the cash to multiple accounts all over the globe. It was actually very simple for Evaldas to mask his fraud as he managed to forged invoices, contracts, and letters signed by executives of these two internet giants.

Evaldas Rimasauskas was charged with one count of identity theft and three counts of money laundering. He is sentenced to prison for 20 years and also an additional 2 years with charges of identity theft.

It is actually hard to imagine that these major technology giants like Google and Facebook had fallen prey to this individual.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

IIT Hyderabad Unveils Palyanka, Heavy-Lift Drone for Air Ambulance Use

Published

on

Hyderabad - Drone

The Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation Foundation (TiHAN) at IIT Hyderabad has set a new standard in drone technology with the launch of Palyanka, a heavy payload drone designed as an autonomous air ambulance. Capable of carrying up to 200 kg, Palyanka is engineered to swiftly transport patients, medical equipment, or critical cargo across challenging terrains, bypassing traditional barriers like road congestion and remote inaccessibility. This advanced UAV operates autonomously, making it highly effective for rapid response in both urban and rural emergencies, and stands at the forefront of disaster relief operations in scenarios such as floods and fires.

Built for versatility, Palyanka doesn’t just function as an air ambulance. Its robust design enables use in rescue missions, cargo deliveries, and even as an air taxi for metropolitan connectivity. Inspired by the Sanskrit word for palanquin, the name “Palyanka” reflects the drone’s role as a safe and efficient carrier. All components, from conceptual design to IP, have been developed in-house at IIT Hyderabad, ensuring the drone meets stringent standards for durability and performance under extreme conditions.

With a development journey spanning over five years and led by Prof. P. Rajalakshmi, TiHAN’s team has transitioned from early drone prototypes to a full-scale, high-capacity solution like Palyanka. The team is now preparing pilot projects in hilly terrains and working on further enhancing the drone’s endurance with innovative heat-resistant materials. By pioneering such indigenous solutions, IIT Hyderabad’s TiHAN is transforming emergency medical services and logistics, marking a pivotal advancement in India’s urban mobility and public safety landscape.

Continue Reading

Latest News

X’s Major Price Cut in India: Premium Plans Now More Accessible Than Ever

Published

on

StartupStories

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has announced a major reduction in its subscription prices across India, slashing fees by up to 48%. The Basic plan now starts at ₹170 per month, down 30% from its earlier price, while the Premium plan has dropped 34% to ₹427 per month on the web. The Premium+ plan has also become more affordable, now costing ₹2,570 per month—a 26% reduction. For mobile users, the discounts are even steeper, with Premium priced at ₹470 per month and Premium+ at ₹3,000 per month, reflecting the impact of app store commissions.

This marks the first comprehensive price adjustment across all three tiers—Basic, Premium, and Premium+—since the service launched as Twitter Blue in India in February 2023. The move comes shortly after Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, rolled out the new Grok 4 model and follows xAI’s acquisition of X earlier this year. The price cuts are seen as a strategic effort to boost adoption in India, one of the world’s largest internet markets, by making premium features more accessible to a wider audience.

Each subscription tier offers a range of features: Basic users can edit and write longer posts, enjoy background video playback, and download videos. Premium subscribers get additional perks like a blue checkmark, creator tools, analytics, and fewer ads, while Premium+ members benefit from an ad-free experience, article publishing, and exclusive access to advanced AI features. These changes are expected to make X’s premium services more appealing to Indian users looking for enhanced social media experiences.

 

Continue Reading

Latest News

Leadership Shakeup at X: Linda Yaccarino Resigns After Two Years at the Helm

Published

on

Linda - Startup Stories

Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), announced her resignation on July 9, 2025, bringing her two-year leadership of Elon Musk’s social media platform to a close. Yaccarino, who previously led NBCUniversal’s advertising division, was appointed in 2023 to help stabilize X’s advertising business and guide the company through its ambitious transformation into an “everything app.” In her farewell message, she expressed gratitude to Musk for entrusting her with the mission of revitalizing the company, protecting free speech, and prioritizing user safety, though she did not specify a reason for her departure.


Her exit comes at a turbulent moment for X, following the recent controversy involving Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Musk’s xAI, which posted antisemitic content referencing Adolf Hitler. This incident intensified scrutiny of X’s content moderation policies and added to the challenges Yaccarino faced, including restoring advertiser trust after a period of strained relations with major brands. Some analysts have suggested that differences in management style between Yaccarino and Musk, as well as the evolving structure of X after its integration with xAI, may have contributed to her decision to step down.

Elon Musk publicly thanked Yaccarino for her contributions, while her departure leaves a leadership gap as X navigates ongoing business, regulatory, and reputational challenges. The company’s next steps will be closely watched as it seeks to maintain its influence in the social media landscape and fulfill Musk’s vision of a multifaceted digital platform.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Recent Posts

Advertisement