US Justice Department Unveils Cybercrime Forum Impacting 17 Million Americans

US Justice Department Unveils Cybercrime Forum Impacting 17 Million Americans

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime, an international coalition of law enforcement agencies has successfully dismantled two major hacking forums: Cracked and Nulled. This operation, which involved authorities from countries including Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, and the United States, aims to disrupt the activities of cybercriminals operating online.

Details of the Takedown Operation

The takedown was publicly announced on Thursday by Europol and Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA). Following their disclosure, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released additional information regarding the operations.

Impact of the Hacking Forums

According to the DOJ, the forum Cracked had amassed over four million users since its inception in 2018. It was reported to have generated approximately $4 million in revenue through the trading of cybercriminal tools and stolen data. The consequences of the activities on these forums were far-reaching, affecting at least 17 million Americans.

  • A woman in New York was reportedly cyberstalked and sextorted using tools available on Cracked.
  • The forum provided access to “billions of leaked websites,” enabling users to find stolen login credentials.

The DOJ stated, “A cybercriminal entered the victim’s username into the tool and obtained the victim’s credentials for an online account. Using the victim’s credentials, the subject then cyberstalked the victim and sent sexually demeaning and threatening messages.”

Specifics on Nulled Forum

Launched in 2016, Nulled had more than five million users and produced over 43 million posts related to hacking tools and stolen data. The forum generated an annual revenue estimated at $1 million.

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One alarming product advertised on Nulled claimed to provide the names and Social Security Numbers of 500,000 U.S. citizens.

Legal Actions and Consequences

The DOJ has identified Lucas Sohn, a 29-year-old Argentinian residing in Spain, as an “active administrator” of Nulled. He faces several criminal charges, including:

  1. Conspiracy to traffic in passwords (maximum penalty: 5 years in prison)
  2. Access device fraud (maximum penalty: 10 years in prison)
  3. Identity fraud (maximum penalty: 15 years in prison)

This operation marks a crucial step in combating cybercrime and curtailing the availability of illicit tools within the cybercriminal community. For more information about ongoing efforts against cybercrime, you can contact [insert your contact details or secure messaging options].

Stay informed on the latest cybercrime news and prevention tips by visiting our Cybersecurity Tips page.

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