In a global law enforcement operation, one of the world’s largest criminal marketplaces, Genesis Market, has been shut down. This marketplace was utilized by online fraudsters to purchase passwords, login details, IP addresses, and other data, creating victims’ “digital fingerprints.” Sold for less than $1, this information enabled cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to bank and shopping accounts.
Coordinated raids were carried out by law enforcement agencies worldwide, including the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), which arrested 24 suspected users of the site. Notably, two men aged 34 and 36 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, were apprehended on suspicion of fraud and computer misuse.
The international collaboration involved agencies from 17 countries, led by the FBI in the US and the Dutch National Police, with support from the NCA, the Australian Federal Police, and other European countries. A total of 200 searches were conducted globally, resulting in 120 arrests.
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Genesis Market, operational since 2017, had 80 million sets of credentials and digital fingerprints for sale, making it a significant facilitator of fraud. The NCA emphasized its role as “an enormous enabler of fraud,” providing a comprehensive range of login data and digital identifiers for cybercriminals.
The marketplace, known for its user-friendly English-language interface, operated on the open web, distinguishing it from traditional dark web platforms. Users could purchase login information, including passwords, and additional elements of victims’ digital footprints, such as browser history, cookies, autofill form data, IP address, and location.
Genesis Market’s offerings allowed fraudsters to gain unauthorized access to various accounts, redirect deliveries, and change passwords without raising suspicion. The login information available encompassed credentials for popular platforms like Facebook, PayPal, Netflix, Amazon, eBay, Uber, and Airbnb.
To maintain the appearance of legitimacy, Genesis provided customers with a customized browser that mimicked the victim’s computer, avoiding triggering security alerts during unauthorized access.
The shutdown of Genesis Market is a significant milestone in combating cybercrime, with implications for global cyber threats and fraud prevention. Authorities have urged internet users to adopt security measures such as keeping software updated, using two-factor authentication, employing strong passwords, and considering the use of password managers to enhance online safety.