BreachForums Taken Down by FBI and International Partners [again]

Today, May 15, 2024, BreachForums has been taken down once again. The site is now under the control of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), with assistance from several international law enforcement agencies.

The seizure notice on BreachForums' homepage now displays the logos of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DOJ, the Swiss Cantonal Police (Kantonspolizei Zürich), the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom, New Zealand Police, and the Cyber Police Department of Ukraine. The page prominently states, "This website has been taken down by the FBI and DOJ with assistance from international partners."

Notably, the notice features the profile pictures of the current administrators behind bars, highlighting the severity of their actions and the consequences that follow. The authorities are now reviewing the site's backend data, and they have provided contact information for anyone with information about cybercriminal activity on BreachForums.

In addition to the website takedown, the associated BreachForums Telegram chat is also now under FBI control. A message forwarded from Baphomet, one of the forum's administrators, states:

This Telegram chat is under the control of the FBI. The BreachForums website has been taken down by the FBI and DOJ with assistance from international partners. We are reviewing the site's backend data.

For those unfamiliar with BreachForums, it has been a notorious platform for cybercriminal activities, including the sale of stolen data, hacking tools, and other illicit services. By pooling resources and intelligence, these agencies can effectively tackle complex, transnational criminal networks.

While this is not the first time BreachForums has been seized, it serves as a stark reminder of the relentless efforts of law enforcement to pursue and dismantle cybercriminal operations.

As more information becomes available, it will be crucial to monitor the developments in this case and understand the broader implications for cybersecurity. For now, the takedown of BreachForums is a significant win for law enforcement and a step forward in securing the digital landscape.