Hackers Stole $1.5M Using Dark Web Credit Card Data

Over $1 million was stolen by a group using hundreds of credit cards that were offered for sale on the dark web, in a story that reads like a screenplay. Following a federal indictment by the U.S. Department of Justice, some information on this intricate criminal enterprise has been public. In the case of United States v. Trevor Osagie, the accused admitted to conspiring to steal credit card information between 2015 and 2018. Osagie caused more than $1.5 million in damages by collaborating with a group of robbers. A minimum of 4,000 persons were impacted. According to Bleeping Computer, Osagie may spend up to 30 years in jail and pay a fine of $1 million. The judgment date has been set on May 25, 2023. The websites and services offered on the dark web are not indexed by the top search engines, and they are only accessible through unconventional means. Even while the dark web isn't always used for illicit operations, criminals find it appealing due to its encryption and anonymity. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Photo Credit: Investopedia[/caption] Osagie was able to enlist and oversee additional conspirators who took on different roles in the fraud by using the dark web. Hamilton Eromosele is accused of running a criminal organization that employed social media to find "employees" to make high-end purchases with credit cards that had been stolen. Ismael Aidara then proceeded to open phony bank accounts and credit cards while Malik Ajala supplied the card information that had been taken. This story includes six other people, all of whom traveled to the United States for any activity requiring their actual presence. Everyone named in the indictment submitted guilty pleas, proving the strength of the prosecution's case. This is how it went. The information was supplied to members of this criminal network after it had obtained stolen credit and debit card details from the dark web and used them to pay for flights to the United States, rentals, and lodging. Gift cards and expensive items would be bought as the shopping spree continued. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2000"] Photo Credit: Goldbelly[/caption] On social media, the "workers" who traveled and bought things for other group members were advertised along with travel and huge gains. The criminal network received a share of the money. The criminals were apprehended by the cops following a chaotic, three-year spree.