The US Department of Justice (DOJ) just dealt a major blow to the dark web. They shut down BidenCash, a massive illegal online marketplace, seizing its cryptocurrency and 145 websites.
What was BidenCash?
BidenCash was a darknet market where criminals bought and sold stolen credit card info and personal data. It quickly gained popularity, boasting over 117,000 users and handling over 15 million stolen credit card numbers. The site’s operators made a cool $17 million in fees.
The Takedown
Launched in March 2022, the operation involved seizing the cryptocurrency used by BidenCash for transactions. While the exact amount isn’t public, the DOJ confirmed it represented the illegal profits. All 145 websites associated with BidenCash were also taken down.
Interestingly, BidenCash used a rather unusual marketing tactic. Between October 2022 and February 2023, they gave away 3.3 MILLION stolen credit cards for free! This reckless move, including full card details, names, addresses, and more, massively increased their user base but also raised huge red flags about identity theft.
International Cooperation
This wasn’t a solo effort. The US Secret Service, FBI, Dutch National High Tech Crime Unit, The Shadowserver Foundation, and Searchlight Cyber all worked together to bring down BidenCash. It shows how international cooperation is crucial in fighting cybercrime.
The Bigger Picture
This takedown is part of a larger US effort to crack down on dark web marketplaces and cryptocurrency-based crime. It follows similar successful operations against other major players like Hydra Market and AlphaBay. The message is clear: the authorities are actively pursuing and dismantling these illegal online operations.
