SSNDOB listed the personal information for approximately 24 million individuals in the United States, including names, dates of birth, SSNs and credit card numbers and generated more than $19 million in revenue, according to the DOJ. Chainalysis, a blockchain analysis company, reports separately that the marketplace has received nearly $22 million worth of Bitcoin across over 100,000 transactions since April 2015, though the marketplace is believed to have been active since at least 2013. “Identity theft can have a devastating impact on a victim’s long-term emotional and financial health,” said Darrel Waldon, the special agent in charge of the IRS’ criminal investigation field office in Washington, D.C., in the statement.
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However, the anonymity provided by the Dark Web also attracts criminal elements who exploit its features for malicious purposes. Unlike the surface web, which is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, the Dark Web operates on a hidden network of servers and websites. This unique addressing system ensures that the servers hosting these websites maintain a significant level of anonymity.
SSNDOB Market Domains Seized, Identity Theft “brokerage” Shut Down
Using such information can lead to severe consequences, such as financial liabilities, damaged credit history, and legal complications. With someone else’s SSN, they can assume the victim’s identity, use their credit information, and engage in fraudulent transactions. The Dark Web is a hidden part of the internet that is not accessible through traditional search engines. It is a network of encrypted websites that require special software, such as Tor (The Onion Router), to access.
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One of the illicit trades that flourish within this hidden realm is the buying and selling of Social Security Numbers (SSN). Criminals involved in illegal activities often seek to distance themselves from their true identities to evade law enforcement or escape legal troubles. By acquiring a stolen or fake SSN, they can create new personas and operate under the radar, making it difficult for authorities to trace their activities back to them.
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On June 7, 2022, seizure orders were executed against the domain names of the SSNDOB Marketplace—BLACKJOB.BIZ, SSNDOB.CLUB, SSNDOB.VIP, and SSNDOB.WS—effectively ceasing the website’s operation. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $5 million, the proceeds of the fraud, and ordered Chychasov to forfeit his interest in the BLACKJOB.BIZ, SSNDOB.CLUB, SSNDOB.VIP, and SSNDOB.WS domains. In light of these risks and consequences, it is strongly advised to avoid participating in the illegal trade of SSNs on the Dark Web. The potential short-term gains are not worth the long-term legal and ethical implications.
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Taking down the SSNDOB website disrupted ID theft criminals and helped millions of Americans whose personal information was compromised,” said Darrell Waldon, the special agent in charge of the IRS’ criminal investigation field office in Washington, D.C. While these payment methods offer varying degrees of anonymity and security, it is crucial to understand that engaging in illegal activities on the Dark Web is highly risky. The potential legal and ethical implications of participating in illicit transactions outweigh any perceived benefits. It is strongly advised to abstain from such activities for your own safety and the welfare of others.
- The U.S. investigation was led by the IRS – Criminal Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit and the FBI – Tampa Division, with assistance from the IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office.
- This creates a demand for SSNs on the Dark Web among individuals seeking to engage in illegal activities anonymously.
- This unique addressing system ensures that the servers hosting these websites maintain a significant level of anonymity.
- SSNDOB, an online marketplace that sold the names, social security numbers, and dates of birth of approximately 24 million US people, has been taken offline following an international law enforcement operation.
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- Until 2011, the Social Security Administration issued social security numbers based on location at the year of issue.
- One of the illicit trades that flourish within this hidden realm is the buying and selling of Social Security Numbers (SSN).
- There are also cases where individuals purchase SSNs to access government benefits fraudulently.
- Those who believe they’ve fallen victim to identity theft are advised to visit the Federal Trade Commission’s one-stop website for help with such cases.
- Not only can this stolen information be exploited to target victims for scamming, it can also be used by cybercriminals to set up online accounts that can’t be traced back to them, which can then form the backbone of other cybercriminal schemes.
The marketplace had operated under several domain names, which authorities also seized on Tuesday, it added. While the website also sold the dates of birth for people in the United Kingdom, it was primarily used to sell the personal information of US citizens for as little as $0.50. By integrating these fraud detection mechanisms, businesses can reduce chargeback losses, prevent unauthorized transactions, and safeguard user data before it’s exploited.
The purpose of this guide is to provide an understanding of the general process, but it is strongly discouraged to participate in any illicit transactions or use stolen personal information. Despite its intended use for official purposes, an SSN is unfortunately highly sought after by criminals due to the potential for identity theft and financial fraud. It holds considerable value on the Dark Web and black markets, where it can be bought and sold for illegal activities. Lastly, it’s important to note that law enforcement agencies are actively working to combat dark web activities. Increased collaboration among international agencies and advancements in digital forensics have led to the successful identification and prosecution of individuals involved in illegal transactions on the Dark Web. Engaging in such activities puts you at risk of being caught and facing severe legal consequences.
These closures show that cryptocurrency is far from the anonymous, crime-friendly mode of exchange it’s been characterized as in the past. Over and over, illicit services that embrace cryptocurrency have opened themselves up to law enforcement scrutiny and been shut down, in large part because of the inherent transparency of blockchains. Most funds sent to SSNDOB have come from centralized and P2P cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as other services. Interestingly, roughly 10% of funds sent to SSNDOB have come from cryptocurrency ATMs, a higher proportion than we typically see for most services, including darknet markets and other illicit providers.
SSNDOB operators got their data in part by infiltrating LexisNexis, Dun & Bradstreet, and Kroll Background America. Hackers used data from SSNDOB to gain control of Xbox Live accounts held by some Microsoft employees, according to another Krebs report in 2013. Chainalysis does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in this report and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. The investigation is being overseen by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Jones and asset forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.
Similarly, if you have a few social security numbers written down for different family members – such as parents or grandparents – and you’re not sure which one is which, the issuance year given from a social security validation can help. Until 2011, the Social Security Administration issued social security numbers based on location at the year of issue. These SSN tables were published public records, which have been compiled for easy searching. We utilize automated software and cross-check results to ensure that your identity verification is fast, truthful, and precise. Identity verification, or SSN validation, is a great way to check that the legal name, date of birth, and address that applicants apply with are accurate.
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The SSNDOB Marketplace has listed the personal information for approximately 24 million individuals in the United States, generating more than $19 million USD in sales revenue. Users were able to browse available PII by country and search for specific names or other characteristics. PII sold on SSNDOB included email addresses, passwords, credit card numbers, and in the case of many American victims, social security numbers. Cybercriminals who purchased this information could use it to conduct phishing attacks and blackmail scam campaigns, as well as to create accounts on social media and financial services under assumed identities. “Identity theft can have a devastating impact on a victim’s long-term emotional and financial health.
The dark web presents a complex and treacherous world, filled with illegal activities and hidden dangers. Buying a Social Security Number (SSN) on the dark web is not only against the law but also exposes individuals to severe legal consequences and ethical dilemmas. It’s important to understand that the use of someone else’s SSN, even if obtained unlawfully, is illegal. Engaging in identity theft or purchasing SSNs on the Dark Web exposes individuals to criminal charges and serious legal consequences. Some individuals may be looking for a new identity, while others seek to engage in financial fraud or evade legal authorities. Regardless of the motive, it is important to understand the risks and consequences involved in participating in such transactions.
