Cybercriminals Arrested by FBI
Cyber Operations Nets 56 Arrests, Saves $70 Million in Losses
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on October 20, 2008 that with the cooperation of its global partners, it had wrapped up a two-year cyber operation that had resulted in 56 arrests worldwide and the prevention of $70 million in potential losses. The FBI sting of Dark Market began on November 2006.
Cyber Criminals Dark Market
Dark Market was formed on the Internet by a group of cyber criminals where they bought and sold stolen financial information such as credit card data, login credentials (users names and passwords), and even electronic equipment for carrying out financial crimes. The criminal network at one time had over 2500 registered members who felt they were protected by carefully vetting members. It was like an exclusive club for cyber crooks, a meeting place for getting advice and brokering deals.
FBI Undercover Operation
Dark Market had an administrator who called himself Master Splyntr, highly regarded by members of the gang, who actually was and undercover agent who had infiltrated the site posing as a cyber crook.
The undercover agent explained after the arrests that there are two types of cybercriminals, those who steal, but not from each other, and "rippers" who steal from anyone. Members of Dark Market thought they were keeping "rippers" out which gave them a false sense of security. The undercover agent saw millions of dollars being exchanged.
Master Splyntr was on the site nearly every day, anywhere from one hour to 15 hours a day. He was able to prevent millions of dollars in losses by tipping off potential cyber crime targets. Meanwhile, the undercover operation was successful in developing intelligence on Dark Market's leading members and the way they conducts their far flung crimes.
The undercover agent was based at the National Cyber Forensics Training Alliance (NCFTA) in Pittsburgh. NCFTA is a non-profit information sharing alliance funded by finance firms, internet companies and the federal government. It is also the home of an FBI unit called the Cyber Initiative and Resource Fusion Unit.
The FBI worked closely with international law enforcement partners including the U.K.'s Serious Organised Crime Agency, the Turkish National Police, and the German Federal Criminal Police in a global partnership. German police have finally revealed its two-year role when it arrested a German credit card forger active on Dark Market. The FBI used the same method it had used in previously taking down spy rings and entire mob families over the years---embedding an undercover agent deep within the criminal organization.
Computer Fraud
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