Recently, the FBI and international law enforcement agencies successfully took control of the notorious ransomware service website BreachForums and its associated Telegram channel.
Stealing Europol database, seized by law enforcement agencies
Last week, BreachForums published documents allegedly stolen from a Europol database, prompting a swift response from law enforcement agencies. The special operation was launched last Wednesday, just days after the documents were made public, leading to the seizure of the site.
BreachForums has repeatedly been the subject of police attention
BreachForums has long been a target of law enforcement agencies. Last year, U.S. authorities arrested the site's owner, Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, who goes by the pseudonym "Pompompurin." Although Fitzpatrick was released after his parents paid bail, the site continues to operate. Despite multiple attempts to shut down the site, BreachForums has been able to get back online.
FBI takes over seizure operation
In the latest move, law enforcement agencies have once again taken down the website and its Telegram channel (for now). Visitors to the site will now see an announcement stating that the site has been taken over by the FBI.
Results of international cooperation in law enforcement
The FBI is supported by law enforcement agencies from Ukraine, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland and the United Kingdom. "The website has been seized by the FBI and Department of Justice with the assistance of international partners," the announcement reads. It also encourages individuals with information about cybercriminal activity on BreachForums to report it through various channels, including a dedicated Telegram channel, email address and website.
The never-ending hub of cybercrime
Despite being online intermittently, BreachForums remains an important hub for cybercrime. The website serves as a marketplace for cybercriminals to trade data stolen from various cyberattacks.
Just last month, threat actors claimed to have breached US-based supplement manufacturer Piping Rock, stealing more than 2.1 million email addresses and the details of nearly a million customers. In a separate incident, the personal information of about 10,000 Home Depot employees was leaked on BreachForums.
(Creative private rooms are still there! Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare is considering blocking Telegram to crack down on illegal sexual image trading)
This article FBI seizes BreachForums ransomware website and Telegram channel first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.
