Uncertain Times for Carders After Closure of Major Hacker Forums

Cybercriminals are facing uncertain times following the sudden disappearance of several key underground marketplaces. Some are even considering leaving illegal activities altogether. Security researchers at Digital Shadows analyzed activity on carding forums—where stolen credit card data and other personal information are sold—and found that many customers were left frustrated after a series of marketplace shutdowns.

In January 2022, a major carding forum posted a notice stating that the site had been taken down by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs as part of a “law enforcement special operation.” Working with U.S. federal agencies, the Russian FSB identified alleged members of the hacker group The Infraud Organization, including forum administrators.

Just days later, news broke of six additional arrests related to the sale of stolen credit card data, and similar notices appeared on several other forums. Some platforms seemed to shut down voluntarily, possibly as a temporary measure to avoid takedowns and arrests.

“Due to recent events, we are taking a two-week vacation. Thank you for your understanding! We’ll be back soon, so don’t worry!” read a message on one forum. However, the site never resumed operations, leaving customers unable to recover their funds.

Another popular carding marketplace, which had operated for nearly a decade, also closed. According to its operators, they had “retired” after making enough money.

Community Reaction and Future Outlook

These shutdowns and disappearances have caused a stir in the carding community. One cybercriminal described the situation as “the scariest moment in carding history” and “a nightmare for people in this business.”

Some users believe that certain sites will be back online within weeks, while others predict that carders will migrate to other platforms, particularly Telegram.

The forum closures have sparked discussions about operational security, with some members expressing concerns about possible arrests. “These are tough times for us. Take care of yourselves and remember to stay safe,” one user advised.

Some joked that they would now have to get regular jobs, while others said that although it might be the perfect time to “retire,” carding would continue to thrive for those willing to work hard.