E-crime crackdown shuts down fraud site

 

Gallery

By Reuters

Posted on 17 Oct 2008 at 10:32

UK police have shut down a website that allowed fraudsters to trade in credit card details and find out about the latest online scams.

The international undercover operation into the DarkMarket site was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and has resulted in the arrest of 56 people worldwide.

The closely guarded, invitation-only forum, inaccessible to most web users, allowed criminals to buy and sell stolen financial information, such as people's online banking details and credit card data.

It also gave the latest information on how to commit online fraud and what equipment to use in financial crimes.

At its peak, the site had 2,500 registered members.

In Britain, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has arrested five people as part of the operation in London, Manchester and Leicester.

"The people involved in this kind of activity have a certain arrogance, they think they are untouchable," says Sharon Lemon, SOCA's deputy director of E-crime.

"The message today is that no one should feel confident that these forums are a secure place to operate."

Further arrests are expected in Britain and abroad as the operation, which also involves police in Germany and Turkey, continues.