In a case that sounds like a script, US criminals stole more than $1 million by using hundreds of credit cards that were advertised for sale on the dark web. A portion of the details surrounding this complex criminal enterprise have become public after a federal indictment by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The defendant in the case of United States v. Trevor Osagie admitted to planning to steal credit card data between 2015 and 2018. Osagie worked with a gang of robbers to cause damages totaling more than $1.5 million.
At least 4,000 people were affected. Osagie could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison and must pay a $1 million fine, according to Bleeping Computer. May 25, 2023, has been designated as the judgement date.
The top search engines do not index the websites and services found on the dark web, and only obscure methods are used to access them. The dark web isn't always used for illegal activities, but because of its encryption and anonymity, criminals are drawn to it.
Using the dark web, Osagie was able to recruit and supervise additional conspirators who played different roles in the fraud. Hamilton Eromosele is charged with leading a criminal organisation that used social media to identify "employees" who would use stolen credit cards to make expensive purchases.
Ismael Aidara then opened fake bank accounts and credit cards while Malik Ajala provided the stolen card information. There are six additional characters in this story, all of whom went to the US to participate in any activity requiring their actual presence. The indictment's namesakes all entered guilty pleas, demonstrating the prosecution's strong case.
This is what happened. Members of this criminal network received the information after it had purchased flights to the United States, rentals, and lodging using stolen credit and debit card information from the dark web. As the shopping spree continued, expensive items and gift cards would be purchased.
Social media promoted travel and enormous profits alongside the "workers" who travelled and purchased items for other group members. A portion of the funds were given to the criminal organisation. The police caught the criminals after a chaotic three-year rampage.
