FBI Seizes BreachForums Ransomware Website and Telegram Channel
Recently, the FBI and international law enforcement agencies successfully took control of the notorious ransomware service website BreachForums and its related Telegram channels.
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Theft of data from European law enforcement database, enforcement agencies seize
BreachForums repeatedly caught the attention of law enforcement
FBI takes over the seizure operation
Result of international cooperation in law enforcement
Unceasing cybercrime center
Last week, BreachForums published documents allegedly stolen from the European law enforcement database, triggering a swift response from law enforcement agencies. Special action was taken on Wednesday of last week, just a few days after the release of these documents, resulting in the seizure of the website.
BreachForums has long been a target of law enforcement agencies. Last year, US authorities arrested the owner of the website, Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, also known as “Pompompurin.” Despite Fitzpatrick’s release on bail paid by his parents, the website continued to operate. Despite multiple attempts to shut down the website, BreachForums has always been able to come back online.
In the latest operation, law enforcement agencies once again took down the website and its Telegram channels (temporarily). Visitors to the website will now see a notice indicating that the website has been taken over by the FBI.
The FBI received support from law enforcement agencies in Ukraine, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, and the United Kingdom. “The website has been seized by the FBI and the Department of Justice with the assistance of international partners,” the notice reads. It also encourages individuals with information about cybercriminal activities on BreachForums to report through various channels, including dedicated Telegram channels, email addresses, and websites.
Despite intermittent online presence, BreachForums remains an important hub for cybercrime. The website serves as a marketplace where cybercriminals trade stolen data from various online attacks.
Just last month, threat actors claimed to have breached the US-based nutritional supplement manufacturer Piping Rock, stealing over 2.1 million email addresses and detailed information of nearly a million customers. In another incident, personal information of around 10,000 Home Depot employees was leaked on BreachForums.
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BreachForums
FBI
Telegram
