The Strategist

Malware And Hacking Forum Darkode Is Blocked



07/16/2015 - 17:29



Latvian police took part in the international operation in which one of the world's largest hacker forums Darkode was eliminated, 28 individuals were detained, 38 searches held, as well as confiscated a large number of computers and data carriers.



- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led the international operations carried out with the support of the European Centre for cybercrime of Europol. In total, it was attended by law enforcement agencies of 20 countries - said the representative of the state police agency BNS Latvia Tom Sadovskis.
 
He said that investigations were coordinated by command centers, which were organized by FBI in the US Pittsburgh and employees of Europol in The Hague Netherlands. Separate investigations were conducted by representatives of Latvia Office for International Cooperation and the state police department for combating economic crimes.

- During the operation, the forum management was intercepted, and announcement of the closing was posted the on its website, - said the police spokesman.

Sadovskis also said that "in Riga, a search was conducted at the place of residence of a man who is suspected in connection with Darkode". "During the search, were found computer equipment and drugs - three grams of hashish and five grams of tablets MDMA, in connection with which a man born in 1992 was arrested for possession of drugs" - he said.

Criminal trial about the storage of drugs against him has already been started, and after examination of the seized equipment, the investigators will decide on the further promotion of the investigation in connection with possible cybercrime provided for US legislation and regulations. According to the police reports, the man arrested in Latvia has been an active participant in the forum.

According to the agency BNS, forum Darkode originated in 2009, 250-300 users communicated there since then. It was used for trade and exchange of malicious code, botnets, stolen credit cards’ data and other means used in cybercrime. The agency notes that the site was an influential forum for the English-speaking hackers, its influence conceded only Russian-speaking forums that are ahead of the cybercriminals.

source: europol.europa.eu