Dutch Police Dismantle Major Cybercrime Webshop

The Dutch police have shut down one of the most significant online marketplaces for cybercriminals. The site, HeartSender, provided software for online fraud and sold lists of stolen login credentials.

It operated for about ten years on the open internet, gaining thousands of customers globally. The cybercrime team in East Brabant discovered the software on a suspect’s computer, prompting further investigation.

Yesterday, police seized the servers running these operations, rendering purchased software inoperative. A group from Pakistan, known as The Manipulators, was behind HeartSender, specializing in phishing schemes.

The FBI conducted a parallel investigation into this group. Data from HeartSender included millions of victim credentials worldwide, with 100,000 belonging to Dutch users.

The police warn of the potential impact, as stolen information can be used to send emails, make purchases, or alter websites. Individuals can check on the police website if their data was compromised by HeartSender and receive advice if necessary.

This action follows several successful operations by Dutch authorities to dismantle cybercriminal infrastructure.

Source: NOS

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