Massive Online ID Fraud Ring Busted

Iphtashu Fitz writes "CNet News is reporting that the US Secret Service in conjunction with authorities in six foreign countries have arrested 28 people in the last 48 hours on charges of identity theft, computer fraud, credit card fraud and conspiracy. Dubbed Operation Firewall, the Secret Service identified a group of people who stole over 1.7 million credit card numbers as well as a passport-forging facility in Bulgaria. The investigation started in July 2003 when the Secret Service began investigating an unspecified financial crime. They identified the website Shadowcrew.com whose members traded tutorials and information about identity theft and forgery and exchanged sensitive personal and financial information. The Shadowcrew website has since undergone a makeover thanks to the Secret Service. A press release about the operation can also be found on their website."

Comments

Re:I love to see the bullies bite the dust.

[Deekin_Scalesinger]

In Soviet Russia, the Secret Service local field office contacts YOU before you contact them!

Back on topic, at my last job I worked with the FBI and Secret Service on bank fraud, kiddie porn, etc cases that were hosted on our web servers. Think what you may about them, but they really have their shit together on these types of events and are dead eager to get the offenders in question. The smart person, if they are trying to do anything highly illegal, would do well to go about their business without using the internet. Once you get the attention of the Feds, its usually lights out for the perp. One case I assisted with was a conspirancy ring involving the sale of illegal guns in the UK, using a US based hosting company (my old job). That case broke earlier this year with several arrests and the destruction of the ring. Scotland Yard was the lead on it with backup from the FBI, with cheerful cooperation from us. Our policy was not to go "fishing" for questionble content on our web servers, but once we were made of illegal activity we would preserve evidence and work with the authorities. I've seen pictures on some website that puts tubgirl to shame, usually involving kids. Made me happy when the Feds would follow up with us and would tell us that they got their man (or men)...