U.S. and European law enforcement have taken control of LeakBase’s database, which prosecutors described as a major online platform for cybercriminals to exchange stolen passwords and hacking tools.
U.S. and European police acted earlier this week, revealing the database’s membership exceeds 142,000 users, with over 215,000 messages circulating among them.
Authorities stated that LeakBase, operational since 2021, maintained an extensive archive of compromised databases, inclusive of hundreds of millions of account credentials, credit card numbers, and bank account details.
This dismantling follows a pattern of targeting websites trafficking in stolen credentials increasingly used to access accounts, steal data, and obtain cryptocurrency.
Europol announced in a statement that about 100 enforcement actions occurred globally, including steps against the top 37 active forum users. The FBI redirected the site’s domain to its servers on Wednesday, ensuring the site’s shutdown.
LeakBase now shows a seizure notice admitting the forum’s content, private messages, and IP logs have been secured. According to The Record, which interviewed FBI cyber official Brett Leatherman, the investigation led to over 13 arrests, the execution of searches, interviews with 33 suspects, and the complete capture of the forum’s database.