The US Department of Justice has taken down PopeyeTools, a major online marketplace used by cybercriminals to sell stolen credit card information, hacking tools, and more. Learn about the three individuals charged in connection with this operation and how authorities are working to combat cybercrime.
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has seized and shut down PopeyeTools, a notorious online marketplace that facilitated a wide range of illegal activities, and arrested three alleged administrators of the website.
PopeyeTools was operational since at least 2016, and functioned as a hub for cybercriminals, offering stolen financial data, tools for carrying out fraud, and even tutorials on how to commit these crimes.
The three men charged, Abdul Ghaffar (Pakistan), Abdul Sami (Pakistan), and Javed Mirza (Afghanistan), face up to 10 years in prison each for access device fraud charges levied against them. This move is part of the department’s “all-tools” approach to combating cybercrime.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). The DoJ’s actions, according to its press release, included seizing control of the PopeyeTools website itself, pressing criminal charges against the alleged administrators, and obtaining judicial authorization to seize $283,000 in cryptocurrency from an account controlled by Sami.
PopeyeTools, boasting the motto “We Believe in Quality Not Quantity,” built its reputation by allegedly offering validated stolen credit card information and other tools that facilitated fraudulent transactions. This “quality” came at a price, with individual sets of stolen payment card data and personal information selling for around $30 each.
Its Live Fullz section provided unauthorized payment card data and PII, while other sections included fresh bank logs, leads, scam pages, and guides. To attract members, PopeyeTools promised to refund or replace invalid credit cards and customers could check the validity of bank account, credit card, or debit card numbers offered through the website.
The website catered to a large audience, according to the Justice Department’s press release, selling stolen information to at least 227,000 individuals and generating over $1.7 million in revenue. PopeyeTools even offered customer support, including services to verify the validity of stolen financial data before purchase.
The dismantling of platforms like PopeyeTools is certainly a significant blow to cybercrime activities, demonstrating the DoJ’s commitment to disrupt criminal operations and protect the public from financial fraud.
