#FBI Seizes LeakBase Cybercrime Forum, Collects Data of 142,000 Members

A major operation against cybercrime takes down a prominent hacking forum.

#Background of the Operation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully seized the LeakBase cybercrime forum, a prominent online platform used by cybercriminals to buy and sell hacking tools and stolen data. This operation, part of an international effort known as "Operation Leak," involved law enforcement agencies from 14 countries, coordinated by Europol.

#Details of the Seizure

On March 3 and 4, the FBI, along with other law enforcement agents, took down LeakBase by seizing two of its domains and posting seizure banners. The agents also collected evidence, executed search warrants, made arrests, and conducted interviews in several countries, including the United States, Australia, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

#Key Actions Taken

• Around 100 enforcement actions were conducted worldwide, targeting 37 of the most active users of the platform.
• The operation involved a technical disruption phase, where the forum's domain was seized and replaced with a law enforcement splash page.
• The operation now enters a prevention phase, aimed at deterring further criminal activity and raising awareness of the consequences of engaging in cybercrime.

#About LeakBase

LeakBase was launched in 2021 as a project supported by the ARES threat group. The forum had over 142,000 members and offered access to databases, a market for selling leaks, exploits, and other cybercrime services. The forum also hosted spaces for programming, hacking tips, social engineering, cryptography, and opsec guides.

#Impact on Cybercrime

This seizure is part of a larger effort to disrupt cybercrime marketplaces, following the takedown of RaidForums in 2022 and BreachForums in 2023, as well as the conviction and sentencing of the BreachForums founder in 2025.

#Related Operations

• RaidForums: A cybercrime marketplace taken down in 2022.
• BreachForums: A cybercrime marketplace taken down in 2023.
• Operation Leak: An international effort to combat cybercrime.