FBI hauls in 24 credit card hackers in online sting

[tabatha]

by Sean Gallagher - June 26 2012, 3:10pm PDT

The FBI unveiled an online sting resulting in the arrest of 24 suspects accused of online credit card fraud. As part of the two-year online operation, FBI agents set up a "carder forum"—a Web forum where hackers and credit card fraudsters were able to buy, sell, and exchange credit card data stolen from hacked e-commerce websites and other sources, as well as other goods and services related to credit card fraud.

The forum, called "Carder Profit," allowed the FBI to monitor transactions and communications and track the IP addresses of those who used it. During the investigation, the FBI used data exchanged on the forum to alert banks and financial institutions to data breaches. According to an FBI statement, the bureau was able to protect over 411,000 credit card holders from fraud, and prevent over $205 million in losses as a result.

Twelve of those arrested, men between the ages of 19 and 23, were in the US; two more arrested in the US were minors and were not named publicly. Another 13 arrests were made in seven other countries: Bosnia, Bulgaria, Italy, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, and Japan. Four additional defendants are still being sought for arrest.

http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/06/fbi-hauls-in-24-credit-card-hackers-in-online-sting/

[Skittles]

1. kudos to the FBI

[MADem]

2. I would like to see some MEANINGFUL jail time associated with these arrests.

This slap on the wrist shit is lame. The bastards should also be put into a daytime work release or in-prison labor program so they can earn enough money to pay back every single person they ripped off, with interest.

[glowing]

3. Probably will recruit the hackers to work for them... They are in need of hackers.

Jail vs govt hacking... hmm.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. Congratulations FBI

Well done.