News
Fake Deliveries and WhatsApp Spam: Scammers Get up to Some New Tricks in Q2 2021

In Q2 2021, amidst continued disruption in supply chains and mail services, scammers sought to use this fact to steal money and credit card details. Since last year, scammers have been taking advantage of the disruption in deliveries to convince users to open malicious email attachments.
This past quarter, not only has this trend continued, but the cybercriminals have become more adept at localizing their spam mailings. Users experienced a surge in invoices in different languages asking for money related to anything from customs duties to shipment costs. With these mailings, victims are often taken to a fake website, where they risk not only losing money but also sharing bank card details.
Cybercriminals also launched websites that appeared to offer people the chance to buy parcels that could not reach the intended recipients. Such websites were set up like a lottery. Users were not aware of the contents of the package. They bid based on the weight of the package that—if they “won”—never arrived, even after paying the winning bid.
Another new trick from fraudsters this past quarter involved spam sent to WhatsApp requesting small amounts of money. These scams involved several different schemes. One asked that users take a survey about WhatsApp and send messages to several contacts to receive a prize. Another stated that the users already won a large prize—all they needed to do to collect it is pay a small fee.
An additional scam took advantage of the debate surrounding WhatsApp’s new privacy policy that allowed it to exchange information with Facebook. Cybercriminals set up fake websites inviting users to a WhatsApp chat with “beautiful strangers”. However, upon clicking the link to the chat room, the potential victim landed on a fake Facebook login page—and risks giving up their personal information. Users also received links for fake WhatsApp messenger apps, putting them at risk of downloading malware.
“As in the past, we’re seeing attackers take advantage of new trends and disruptions to steal money and credentials, whether that’s a growing user of messengers or continued problem with mail delivery amidst a pandemic. Spam and phishing schemes are still some of the most effective ways to launch successful attacks because they play on human emotion. The best thing users can do is be wary of any unexpected emails and never click on any email attachments—go to the website directly,” comments Tatyana Shcherbakova.
To avoid falling victim to the aforementioned scams, experts recommend:
- Check any links before clicking. Hover over it to preview the URL, and look for misspellings or other irregularities.
- Even if a message or a letter came from one of your best friends, remember that their accounts could also have been hacked. Remain cautious in any situation. Even if a message seems friendly, treat links and attachments with attention.
- It’s better not to follow links from e-mails at all. Instead, you can open a new tab or window and enter the URL of your bank or other destination manually.
- Install a trusted security solution and follow its recommendations. Then secure solutions will solve the majority of problems automatically and alert you if necessary.
- It’s safe practice to check the sender’s address. Most spam comes from email addresses that don’t make sense or appear as gibberish – for example, amazondeals@tX94002222aitx2.com or similar. By hovering over the sender’s name, which itself may be spelled oddly, you can see the full email address. If you’re not sure if an email address is legitimate or not, you can put it into a search engine to check.
- Consider what kind of information is being requested. Legitimate companies don’t contact you out of the blue via unsolicited emails to ask you for personal information, such as banking or credit card details, your Social Security number and so on.
- Be wary if the message is creating a sense of urgency. Spammers often try to apply pressure by creating a sense of urgency. For example, the subject line may contain words like “urgent” or “immediate action required” – to pressure you into acting.
- Grammar and spelling check is the effective way to identify a scammer. Typos and bad grammar are red flags. So too are odd phrasings or unusual syntax, which might result from the email being translated back and forth through translators several times.

Gaming
PlayStation Demo for Psychological Horror Title Luto Available Now

Global video game publisher SelectaPlay and developer Broken Bird Games have unveiled a demo for their upcoming psychological horror game, Luto, available on PlayStation through the PlayStation Store. The full game is set to release in 2024 on PC via Steam, as well as on PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Named ‘The Choice,’ this standalone demo for the PlayStation version of Luto provides players with a taste of the game’s atmosphere and narrative gameplay, avoiding any spoilers from the full story.
In Luto, a first-person psychological horror experience crafted by Broken Bird Games, players take on the role of an individual trapped in despair within their own home. Escaping requires navigating through challenging paths that test their senses, revealing untold fears and phobias.
Delve into the emotional turmoil of losing a loved one, confronting the horror of darkness concealed by anxiety and depression. Explore a mysterious environment laden with secrets and formidable challenges, requiring careful deciphering. Can you distinguish between reality and fiction?
Luto promises a launch in 2024 across digital platforms, including PC via Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, delivering an immersive horror experience that explores various phobias.
Accessories
GameSir Intros G8 Galileo Mobile Gaming Controller

GameSir has announced the official release of its latest innovation, the GameSir G8 Galileo, a next-generation Type-C wired mobile gaming controller destined to redefine excellence and provide out-of-this-world gaming experiences. Compatible with all controller-supported games across Android and iPhone 15 series devices, the GameSir G8 Galileo boasts an incredible combination of world-class connectivity, seamless software customization, and unstoppable gameplay; empowering users, enhancing their capabilities, and elevating mobile gaming to never-before-seen levels with host of cutting-edge features.
“We’re thrilled that the GameSir G8 Galileo is now available for gaming enthusiasts to purchase,” said Betta Core, CEO, GameSir. “Mobile gaming is a true phenomenon of our time and as popularity soars, demands increase and technological advancements open up new possibilities, nothing gives us more satisfaction than introducing innovations that enable gamers to explore unchartered potential and revel in gaming experiences that go above and beyond. The GameSir G8 Galileo is the gateway to precisely that – and we’re looking forward to seeing the reaction and reception from gamers far and wide in the weeks ahead. The fact that the time has finally come for the gaming community to share the power this controller provides is very exciting.”
Those purchasing the GamerSir G8 Galileo can expect a console-controller-grade mobile controller with console-sized sticks and buttons for exceptional comfort and unparalleled control during extended gameplay. Whether navigating treacherous terrain or taking precise shots, the G8 Galileo guarantees performance with expert precision and maximum comfort, while a movable Type-C port is installed for a dependable, constant connection to gaming devices, delivering unmatched smoothness and reliability.
Another standout feature is GameSir Hall Tech for elevated gameplay. GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analogue triggers offer unparalleled smoothness and responsiveness, giving a competitive advantage in any game, backed up by GameSir Hall Effect sensing sticks that deliver 360° seamless pinpoint control, providing the precision and durability that mobile gamers demand alongside super-smooth stick control for reduced stick grinding and extended usage time.
Amongst its many prominent features for redefined excellence, the GameSir G8 Galileo comes with two additional back buttons designed for pro-level mobile gaming. With these, users can map their in-game actions on the go, loading up their favourite button mappings with or without software during gameplay – with mappings instantly programmable and synced in real-time. Thanks to pass-through charging, the GameSir G8 Galileo also ensures gameplay remains uninterrupted, thereby ensuring opponents are conquerable without missing a single moment of the action as the controller charges during play.
What’s more, the GameSir G8 Galileo is purposefully designed for universal compatibility, featuring an extendable bridge and sufficient rear space to be compatible with a wide range of phone models. It’s the perfect choice for mobile gamers seeking adaptability, ensuring a seamless gaming experience. Additionally, interchangeable magnetic detachable faceplates elevate the GameSir G8 Galileo to match the unique style of its user; laser-engraved texture grips and high-saturation fluorescent ink buttons offer a blend of style and substance; and the GameSir App takes the customization and fun of the GameSir G8 Galileo to the next level.
Through the app, users can create personalized controller profiles by mapping buttons, fine-tuning the D-pad diagonals, and adjusting sticks and trigger zones. The GameSir G8 Galileo is available at gamesir.hk and GameSir AliExpress now for $79.99.
Apps
Experience the ChatGPT ‘Make It More’ Trend: Generate Weird AI Images

AI art generators occupy a peculiar space, capable of rendering diverse scenarios, from a cosmic skateboarding dog to a coffee cup adrift in the ocean. Setting aside ethical considerations, some creations may not initially meet expectations, necessitating user prompts to refine the AI-generated output.
Yet, what if the aim isn’t to craft a polished piece of AI art? Enter the “make it more” trend, where ChatGPT users task DALL-E to generate an image and subsequently request the bot to amplify certain aspects. For instance, Justine Moore prompted DALL-E to create a bowl of ramen, then instructed it to make it spicier. The iterative process led to increasingly absurd results, culminating in a bowl of noodles shooting fire beams into outer space.
A Dad getting increasingly Dad-ier pic.twitter.com/1EUFECmnT3
— Justine Moore (@venturetwins) November 27, 2023
While the Make It More trend gains traction on ChatGPT and DALL-E, allowing users to experiment with various image transformations, it also raises concerns about resource utilization. The AI processing involved consumes power and energy, prompting considerations about the trend’s efficiency and environmental impact. Nevertheless, these prompts contribute to OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to enhance AI capabilities across platforms like ChatGPT and DALL-E.