Justice Department Seizes 39 Domains in Major Cybercrime Crackdown
The Justice Department seizes 39 domains in a coordinated effort to disrupt a Pakistan-based network of online marketplaces selling hacking and fraud-enabling tools. Announced on January 30, this operation targeted a cybercriminal group known as Saim Raza, also referred to as HeartSender, in collaboration with the Dutch National Police.
Saim Raza’s Cybercrime Websites Facilitated Fraud Worldwide
According to an affidavit supporting the seizures, Saim Raza has operated these cybercrime websites since at least 2020, selling phishing toolkits and other fraud-enabling tools to transnational organized crime groups. These tools were used to target numerous victims in the United States, leading to more than $3 million in losses.
How the Seized Websites Operated
The websites operated by Saim Raza functioned as marketplaces for hacking tools, including phishing kits, scam pages, and email extractors. These resources were widely available on the open internet. Additionally, Saim Raza provided training, linking YouTube instructional videos on how to exploit these malicious programs against victims. This approach allowed criminals with little technical expertise to engage in cybercrime. The group also advertised its tools as “fully undetectable” by antispam software, increasing their appeal to hackers.
Impact on Cybercrime and Business Email Compromise Scams
The seized cybercrime tools were primarily used in business email compromise (BEC) scams, where cybercriminals deceived companies into making payments to fraudulent accounts controlled by the perpetrators. Additionally, these tools were used to steal victim credentials, further expanding fraudulent schemes. The Justice Department’s seizure of these domains aims to disrupt ongoing cybercriminal activities and prevent the spread of these dangerous tools within the cybercrime ecosystem.
Law Enforcement and Justice Department’s Response
Officials Leading the Crackdown
The announcement was made by Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston Field Office.
FBI and International Law Enforcement Collaboration
The FBI Houston Field Office is leading the investigation. The Justice Department expressed gratitude for the cooperation and assistance provided by law enforcement partners in the Netherlands.
Prosecutors Handling the Case
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Gaelin Bernstein of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez for the Southern District of Texas.
The Justice Department seizes 39 domains as a critical step toward dismantling cybercrime networks and protecting victims from financial fraud. The seizure disrupts ongoing criminal activities and prevents further use of these fraudulent tools.
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