One of the world’s largest criminal marketplaces, known as Genesis Market, has been closed down following a global crackdown on online fraud. The website was used by criminals to buy and sell stolen passwords, IP addresses, and other personal information that made up the digital identities of their victims. This information could be purchased for as little as $1 and was often used to access bank and shopping accounts.
Law enforcement agencies from 17 countries were involved in the coordinated raids, which began at dawn on Tuesday. The operation was led by the FBI in the United States and the Dutch National Police, working alongside the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the Australian Federal Police, and other agencies across Europe.
Following the crackdown, anyone attempting to log onto the Genesis website was greeted with a message that read: “Operation Cookie Monster. This website has been seized.”
The closure of Genesis Market marks a significant victory in the fight against cybercrime, as the website was a major hub for criminal activity. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies from around the world demonstrate their commitment to protecting the public from online fraud and other digital crimes.
