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Accessing stolen data on a darknet forum leads to a community corrections order and community service.
A 32-year-old Victorian man has been sentenced for purchasing stolen data and credentials on a popular dark web marketplace.
Police executed a search warrant on his Endeavour Hills home on 5 April 2023, taking into custody a mobile phone and a laptop. A forensic examination later found evidence that the man had purchased several bots from the now-defunct Genesis Market site.
The man was in possession of about 650 sets of compromised credentials, consisting of identifiable cookies and login credentials, enough data to allow the man to access accounts belonging to the compromised individuals.
The Melbourne man pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing data with the intent to commit a computer offence on 16 January. He was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order and 150 hours of community work.
AFP acting Assistant Commissioner Cyber Command Chris Goldsmid has a warning for anyone looking to purchase stolen data online.
“To anyone seeking to buy or sell stolen information online, I want to warn you that we are working every day with our law enforcement partners, at home and abroad, and we will find you and ensure that you face justice,” acting Assistant Commissioner Goldsmid said in a statement.
“Just because you are behind closed doors and a computer screen does not mean you are anonymous.”
Genesis Market was shut down in April 2023 after an international investigation led by the FBI, with the assistance of a number of law enforcement agencies from around the world, including the Australian Federal Police.
Since then, two other Australian men have been arrested after making purchases on the market, as well as a Fijian national.
“The rise of the internet age has created an environment ripe for online criminals to prey on vulnerable victims and access information,” acting Assistant Commissioner Goldsmid said.
“The public should take steps to protect themselves against this sort of crime, including regularly changing passwords, ensuring they are unique to different accounts and enabling two-factor authentication.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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