Detect and Prevent Dark Web Credit Card Fraud
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Credit Card Fraud on the Dark Web Credit card fraud on the dark web operates quite differently from what many people …
Are you struggling to stay on top of the main dark web markets worth monitoring?
Looking for a way to track all of the new marketplaces that seem to pop up overnight?
Fraud accounts for around 70% of all non-drug related trade on the dark web (Avast)
In this post, we’ll walk you through the top 10 dark web marketplaces that you need to watch for potential threats to your organization.
Contents
What is a dark web market?
A dark web market is an online marketplace that operates on the dark web, a hidden part of the internet that’s not accessible through regular search engines or browsers.
These markets sell a range of illegal goods and services, including drugs, weapons, stolen data, and counterfeit items, and they typically require special software like Tor for access.
Transactions are made using cryptocurrencies to maintain anonymity.
Dark web markets have gained notoriety for their illicit offerings.
Here’s a look at the top 10 dark web markets currently dominating this underground space.
1. Abacus Market
Launched in 2021, Abacus Market caters primarily to English-speaking users.
It offers a wide range of illicit goods, including illegal drugs, counterfeit items, fake IDs, passports, and software keys.
The market is also known for its listings related to financial fraud, such as phishing tools and stolen credit card information.
What sets Abacus Market apart from other dark web platforms is its emphasis on customer service and their vendor verification system.
These features help establish trust between buyers and sellers, providing users with a sense of security that many other markets lack.
2. STYX Market
STYX Market is a newcomer, having launched in early 2023.
It quickly gained traction as a hub for financial cybercrime.
This marketplace focuses on selling stolen financial data, such as BINs (Bank Identification Numbers), RDP/VDS access, and verified crypto accounts for money laundering.
Its user base is primarily English-speaking, and it appeals to more sophisticated cybercriminals.
With enhanced security features and a strong focus on financial fraud, STYX has become a go-to marketplace for those looking to engage in cybercrime on a more technical level
3. Mega Market
Mega Market, established in 2016, experienced a surge in popularity following the takedown of the Hydra market.
This marketplace specializes in a variety of illegal products, including drugs, counterfeit documents, and hacking tools.
Mega Market is known for its user-friendly interface and high security, including support for PGP encryption and two-factor authentication.
It allows vendors to sell without registration, which provides an added layer of anonymity, making it one of the more flexible and user-friendly markets on the dark web.
4. Bohemia
Bohemia entered the dark web scene in May 2021, quickly rising due to its modern interface and strict rules that reduce the likelihood of scams.
The marketplace requires merchants to pay fees to sell their products, helping ensure a certain level of quality control.
Users are also bound by strict rules, and any violations result in immediate consequences.
Bohemia accepts Monero and Bitcoin as payment methods and places a strong emphasis on protecting user anonymity through PGP encryption.
5. Cypher Market
Founded in 2020, Cypher Market has carved out a niche on the dark web by focusing on cybercrime products.
The market has become the go-to place for individuals looking to purchase malware, exploit kits, and software vulnerabilities.
Unlike many other dark web markets, Cypher does not require buyers to deposit cryptocurrency upfront, which reduces the risk of exit scams.
Transactions are conducted through Bitcoin and Monero which provides anonymity for both buyers and sellers.
6. Russian Market
The Russian Market has been around since 2019 and is one of the more prominent dark web marketplaces.
Their specialty is selling stolen data, including login credentials, credit card information, and compromised accounts.
Russian Market is particularly known for its focus on stealer logs—data extracted by malware that captures sensitive information like usernames, passwords, and session cookies.
The platform is favored by cybercriminals seeking access to accounts that can be exploited for fraud or sold to others.
7. FreshTools
FreshTools, founded in 2019, specializes in selling stolen account credentials and data, particularly webmail, RDPs (Remote Desktop Protocols), and cPanels.
Fresh Tools Market has become a go-to platform for cybercriminals seeking access to malicious software such as keyloggers, Remote Access Trojans (RATs), and ransomware-as-a-service.
In addition to these tools, the market offers access to compromised accounts, VPN services, and digital identities, making it a hub for individuals involved in illegal activities like hacking, identity theft, and other forms of cybercrime.
One of the distinguishing features of Fresh Tools Market is its focus on providing up-to-date, freshly obtained tools and credentials.
The market emphasizes anonymity and security, conducting transactions exclusively through cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero.
8. MGM Grand Market
Launched in April 2021, MGM Grand Market is a dark web marketplace that focuses on the sale of counterfeit goods, stolen financial data, and a range of illicit digital products.
Since its inception, the market has catered to criminals looking for high-quality counterfeit items, such as fake IDs, passports, and branded luxury goods.
In addition to counterfeit merchandise, MGM Grand Market offers access to stolen credit card information, compromised bank accounts, and other financial fraud-related services.
The market is known for its extensive product listings and reputation system that helps buyers evaluate the reliability of vendors.
9. BidenCash
BidenCash, established in 2022, is notorious for its involvement in selling stolen credit card information and personally identifiable information (PII).
The market frequently makes headlines for releasing massive troves of stolen data, often as a way to advertise its services.
In 2022, for example, BidenCash was linked to the breach of over 1.2 million credit card records.
This platform has rapidly become a key player in the fraud market, trading in PII and SSH credentials while making use of both the clear and dark web.
10. 2easy
Operating since 2020, 2easy Market is a dark web marketplace known primarily for its focus on stolen data and cybercrime services, particularly targeting compromised accounts and personal information.
2easy has quickly gained traction as a go-to platform for hackers looking to buy and sell databases containing breached credentials, Social Security numbers, financial records, and login details for online banking and e-commerce platforms.
The market is especially well-known for providing access to freshly compromised data, often obtained from recent breaches and stealer logs.
In addition to its emphasis on stolen credentials, 2easy Market offers a variety of cybercrime tools, such as hacking services, exploit kits, and other resources for conducting cyberattacks.
Why You Need Automated Dark Web Monitoring
Organizations need automated dark web monitoring to prevent cyberattacks.
With the constant threat of data breaches, compromised credentials, and intellectual property leaks, automated dark web monitoring helps organizations stay ahead by continuously scanning dark web forums, marketplaces, and other hidden platforms where cybercriminals trade stolen information.
This early detection allows organizations to identify and respond to threats quickly, reducing the chances of unauthorized access, financial loss, or damage to brand reputation.
Manual monitoring of the dark web is inefficient and risky due to the sheer volume of data involved.
By leveraging automated dark web monitoring, organizations can mitigate risks, and take preventive measures before the leaked data is exploited.
