{"id":13462,"date":"2025-06-26T17:13:44","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T15:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wsj-crypto.com\/?p=13462"},"modified":"2025-06-26T17:13:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T15:13:44","slug":"fbi-uncovers-alleged-breachforums-administrator-in-250000-bitcoin-operation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wsj-crypto.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/26\/fbi-uncovers-alleged-breachforums-administrator-in-250000-bitcoin-operation\/","title":{"rendered":"FBI Uncovers Alleged BreachForums Administrator in $250,000 Bitcoin Operation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A British individual charged with functioning under the alias \u201cIntelBroker\u201d on cybercrime forums has been indicted for purportedly distributing stolen information, leading to damages exceeding $25 million.<\/p>\n

The US Southern District of New York Attorney\u2019s Office revealed<\/a> Kai West\u2019s indictment<\/a> on Wednesday. Allegedly, West operated on illicit online marketplaces utilizing the IntelBroker moniker, inflicting damages exceeding $25 million on various victims.<\/p>\n

Former US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman and lawyer Jay Clayton was one of the individuals involved in unsealing the indictment. \u201cThis action underscores the FBI\u2019s resolve to pursue cybercriminals globally,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n

West reportedly conspired with an online group named CyberN***ers<\/a> to illegally obtain data from multiple businesses, including a telecommunications firm, a municipal healthcare provider, an internet service provider, and over 40 other entities.<\/p>\n

Undercover transaction prompted charges<\/h2>\n

As detailed in the complaint<\/a>, a covert law enforcement officer sent a direct message to IntelBroker to acquire data pertaining to a victim for $250 in Bitcoin (BTC<\/a>). An address linked to West was provided, and subsequent to the payment, the data was allegedly delivered, which included three admin-level usernames and passwords.<\/p>\n

West and his online associates allegedly listed the illegally obtained data for sale at over $2 million. He was arrested in France in February, and the US is currently pursuing his extradition.<\/p>\n

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher Raia stated that West is a \u201cserial hacker\u201d and noted that he managed to \u201csell it for millions in illicit proceeds.\u201d IntelBroker was active<\/a> on the now-defunct cybercrime forum BreachForums.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em>Coinbase data breach could jeopardize users’ physical safety: TechCrunch founder<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Per the announcement, an examination of the 158 threads allegedly initiated by West showcased offers for stolen data for sale, in Forum-1 credits (the internal currency of BreachForums), as well as for free. He was reportedly active from about January 2023 to February 2025, with at least 41 of his threads involving data from companies based in the US.<\/p>\n

Among those 158 threads, 16 posts specified a particular asking price for the data, accumulating to a minimum of $2,467,000. Messages allegedly authored by West also indicated he accepted payments using the privacy coin Monero (XMR<\/a>).<\/p>\n

IntelBroker gained prominence on BreachForums to the extent that he was recognized as the site\u2019s proprietor beginning in August 2024.<\/p>\n

IntelBroker\u2019s profile image. Source: <\/em>US Attorney\u2019s Office<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em>Millions of OpenSea user emails disclosed in 2022 are now completely public: SlowMist<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Data leaks and breaches continue to occur<\/h2>\n

This news follows the recent disclosure of over 16 billion login credentials<\/a> from major online service providers, which may have significant implications for cryptocurrency users. Earlier this month, it was reported that Coinbase had been informed in January that an employee of an outsourcing firm might have disclosed customer information<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The breach was revealed in mid-May, when a $20 million extortion attempt targeted Coinbase<\/a> after cybercriminals enlisted overseas support agents to leak user information. \u201cThese insiders misused their access to customer support systems to pilfer the account data for a limited number of customers,\u201d Coinbase stated at that time.<\/p>\n

Magazine: <\/strong><\/em>Crypto-Sec: Evolve Bank faces data breach, Turbo Toad enthusiast loses $3.6K<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n