Ethical Hacking News
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seized the 'web3adspanels.org' domain and database used by cybercriminals to store stolen bank login credentials, disrupting a major operation that resulted in significant financial losses for U.S. victims.
The FBI seized the 'web3adspanels.org' domain and database on December 24, 2025, as part of its efforts to combat cybercrime.The domain was being used by a criminal group to host thousands of stolen bank logins, which were then sold on the dark web.Victims fell for fake ads on Google and Bing that led them to fraudulent websites controlled by the criminals.The scheme resulted in significant financial losses for U.S. victims, with $14.6 million in actual losses and an estimated $28 million in attempted thefts.Over 5,100 reports of suspicious activity were received since January, with total losses exceeding $262 million.The FBI's operation disrupted the illicit operation and prevented further attacks by seizing the domain and database.Cooperation between law enforcement agencies is crucial in combating transnational cybercrime operations.Cybersecurity awareness and education are also essential in protecting individuals and businesses from cyber threats.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has made a significant move in its ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime by seizing the 'web3adspanels.org' domain and database. This operation, which took place on December 24, 2025, marks a crucial step towards disrupting the illicit activities of cybercriminals who have been using this platform to store and manipulate stolen bank login credentials.
According to reports from the FBI, the 'web3adspanels.org' domain was being used by a criminal group to host thousands of stolen logins. These credentials were then being sold on the dark web, allowing hackers to gain unauthorized access to bank accounts and steal funds. The scheme involved fake ads being run on Google and Bing that mimicked real bank advertisements, leading unsuspecting victims to click on these ads and redirect them to fraudulent websites controlled by the criminals.
When users entered their login credentials on these fake sites, malware would capture the information and transmit it back to the 'web3adspanels.org' database. The stolen credentials were then used on the real bank websites to access accounts and steal funds. This brazen operation had already resulted in significant financial losses for U.S. victims, with at least 19 reported cases of account takeover fraud. In total, the losses incurred by these individuals amount to $14.6 million, while attempts to steal funds are estimated at a staggering $28 million.
The FBI's IC3, which tracks and investigates cybercrime complaints, had received over 5,100 reports of suspicious activity related to this scheme since January. The total losses reported in these cases exceed $262 million. This staggering figure highlights the scope of the problem and the need for law enforcement agencies like the FBI to take proactive measures to combat such scams.
The seizure of the 'web3adspanels.org' domain is seen as a major breakthrough in disrupting this illicit operation. The FBI's swift action in seizing the domain and database has effectively prevented the criminals from using the stolen data, thereby disrupting their ability to carry out further attacks.
Estonian authorities have also taken steps to preserve evidence from servers hosting phishing pages and stolen login credentials used in the scheme. This cooperation between law enforcement agencies is crucial in combating transnational cybercrime operations.
The FBI's operation highlights the critical role that law enforcement agencies play in protecting individuals and businesses from cyber threats. By working together with international partners, these agencies can effectively disrupt and dismantle such operations, thereby reducing the scope of these scams and minimizing financial losses for victims.
Furthermore, this operation underscores the importance of cybersecurity awareness and education. As more individuals become aware of the risks associated with phishing and other forms of cybercrime, they can take proactive steps to protect themselves from falling victim to these scams.
In conclusion, the FBI's seizure of the 'web3adspanels.org' domain is a significant victory in the ongoing fight against cybercrime. By disrupting this critical infrastructure for illicit operations, law enforcement agencies like the FBI have sent a clear message that they will not tolerate such activities and will take all necessary steps to protect individuals and businesses from these threats.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/FBI-Seizes-Critical-Infrastructure-for-Cybercrime-Operations-A-Breakthrough-in-Disrupting-Stolen-Login-Credentials-Scams-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/186094/cyber-crime/fbi-seized-web3adspanels-org-hosting-stolen-logins.html
Published: Thu Dec 25 00:21:08 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
