Ethical Hacking News
BreachForums, a notorious hacking forum used by cybercriminals to leak and sell stolen data, has seen its operators brought to justice through a global crackdown led by French authorities. Four hackers known online as ShinyHunters, Hollow, Noct, and Depressed were arrested in connection with high-profile data breaches against French entities. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies worldwide to combat cybercrime and bring those responsible to justice.
French authorities have dismantled BreachForums, an online community used by hackers to leak and sell stolen data. A coordinated operation led by the cybercrime unit (BL2C) of the Paris police department resulted in the arrests of four hackers. The most notorious hacker among those arrested is ShinyHunters, linked to multiple high-profile data breaches and attacks. BreachForums v2, a revamped version of the site, was also dismantled as part of this operation. The arrests highlight the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies worldwide to combat cybercrime and bring those responsible to justice.
The world of cybercrime has long been a hotbed for illicit activity, and recently, French authorities have made significant strides in dismantling one of the most notorious online communities involved in such nefarious pursuits. BreachForums, a website used by hackers to leak and sell stolen data that exposed sensitive information to millions, has seen its operators brought to justice through a coordinated effort between law enforcement agencies.
According to reports from Le Parisien, French police carried out simultaneous raids in the regions of Hauts-de-Seine (Paris), Seine-Maritime (Normandy), and Réunion (overseas) on Monday. The arrests were made as part of an operation led by the cybercrime unit (BL2C) of the Paris police department.
Among those arrested were four hackers known online by the handles "ShinyHunters," "Hollow," "Noct," and "Depressed." These individuals, it is worth noting, are alleged to have been involved in various high-profile data breaches against French entities such as Boulanger, SFR, France Travail, and the French Football Federation.
The most notorious among those arrested was ShinyHunters, a threat actor who has been linked to multiple high-profile data breaches and attacks. Their exploits include breaches at Salesforce and PowerSchool, as well as the SnowFlake attacks that impacted Santander, Ticketmaster, AT&T, Advance Auto Parts, Neiman Marcus, and Cylance.
BreachForums v2, a revamped version of the original site that had been launched after its operator was arrested in 2023, is also believed to have been dismantled as part of this operation. The new iteration of the site was led by threat actors known as ShinyHunters, Baphomet, and later IntelBroker.
The arrests come on the heels of a recent incident where BreachForums v2 went offline following an alleged breach by a MyBB zero-day vulnerability. It appears that this operation marked another significant setback for the hackers involved in operating this site, with many of those arrested being well-known figures in the cybercrime community.
IntelBroker, in particular, is notable for their involvement in highly publicized breaches at Europol, General Electric, Weee!, AMD, HPE, Nokia, and Cisco. However, it was IntelBroker's breach of DC Health Link, an organization that administers healthcare plans for U.S. House members, their staff, and their families, that really put them on the map.
This recent crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies around the world to combat cybercrime and bring those responsible to justice. As we move forward in this digital age, it is imperative that we continue to develop strategies to protect ourselves from these threats and hold accountable those who engage in such illicit activities.
In a broader sense, this operation serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies worldwide in their pursuit of cybercrime. The coordination and cooperation between countries and regions to combat shared threats are crucial for maintaining global cybersecurity.
Furthermore, it underscores the importance of international cooperation and information sharing in combating cybercrime. As we continue to navigate the complexities of this ever-evolving threat landscape, it will be essential to draw upon the collective knowledge and expertise of governments, law enforcement agencies, and the private sector to stay one step ahead of those who seek to exploit vulnerabilities for their own gain.
In conclusion, the recent arrest of BreachForums hacking forum operators marks a significant milestone in the fight against cybercrime. As we move forward, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and continue to develop effective strategies to protect ourselves from these threats. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies worldwide are a critical component of this effort.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/BreachForums-Hacking-Forum-Operators-Brought-to-Justice-A-Global-Crackdown-on-Cybercrime-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/breachforums-hacking-forum-operators-reportedly-arrested-in-france/
Published: Wed Jun 25 10:46:57 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
