FBI Shuts Down One of the Most Sophisticated Forums For Criminal Computer Hackers
The FBI announced on Wednesday that they have shut down and dismantled one of the most sophisticated forums for criminal computer hackers in the world.
According to Fusion, the ongoing investigation involved the cooperation of 20 countries leading to nearly 12 indictments so far. The FBI aims to arrest nearly 70 members from Darkode, an English-speaking forum for criminal computer hackers worldwide.
"Through this operation, we have dismantled a cyber-hornets' nest of criminal hackers which was believed by many, including the hackers themselves, to be impenetrable," U.S. Attorney David Hickton said.
FBI agents cracked down on one of the biggest computer hacking systems at a time when criminals hacked into the Federal Office of Personnel Management stealing personal information from more than 22 million U.S. residents.
The creator of Darkode forum, Daniel Placek, has been issued an indictment for charges of criminal information with conspiracy to commit computer fraud. He is charged in Wisconsin where he currently lives.
"Hackers and those who profit from stolen information use underground Internet forums to evade law enforcement and target innocent people around the world," Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell said.
"This operation is a great example of what international law enforcement can accomplish when we work closely together to neutralize a global cybercrime marketplace."
The U.S. was part of the 20 countries that collaborated to take down the hackers.
Back in April, the White House was targeted by Russian computer hackers who were able to get access to some of President Barack Obama's personal emails. It is not clear if that is connected to the hackers caught on Wednesday.
Hackers did not compromise any classified information, the White House said at the time.
A few Latin American countries were involved in solving the Darkode case, including Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica.
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