Kosovo Authorities Extradite Admin of Cybercrime Marketplace BlackDB.cc
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Kosovo authorities have extradited the administrator of the notorious online marketplace BlackDB.cc to the United States. Liridon Masurica, a 33-year-old Kosovar citizen from Gjilan, was arrested on December 12, 2024, and is now facing six fraud-related counts in federal court.
A History of Deceit: The Rise of BlackDB.cc
BlackDB.cc has been an active platform since 2018, offering compromised credentials, personal identifiable information (PII), and other stolen data used by cybercriminals for various illicit activities such as tax fraud, credit card fraud, and identity theft. The marketplace has been a thorn in the side of law enforcement agencies worldwide, with its operations spanning multiple countries.
The Arrest and Extradition
Masurica, also known as @blackdb, was charged in the US a few days before his arrest. He was extradited to the US on May 9, 2024, and appeared in court on May 12. The Kosovo citizen faces up to 55 years in prison for conspiracy and unauthorized access to over 15 devices across six fraud charges.
The Indictment: A Glimpse into the Dark World of BlackDB.cc
According to the indictment published by the Department of Justice (DoJ), Masurica was the lead administrator of BlackDB.cc. The marketplace offered for sale compromised account and server credentials, credit card information, and other PII of individuals primarily located in the United States, including those in the Middle District of Florida.
Operation Rydox: Another Cybercrime Marketplace Shut Down
In December 2024, the US Department of Justice seized another cybercrime marketplace called Rydox. Kosovar authorities arrested three Kosovo nationals and administrators of the service, Ardit Kutleshi, Jetmir Kutleshi, and Shpend Sokoli. The Rydox marketplace has been active since February 2016 and facilitated over 7,600 sales of stolen PII, access devices, and cybercrime tools, generating $230,000.
A Global Effort to Combat Cybercrime
The arrest and extradition of Masurica are a testament to the growing efforts by law enforcement agencies worldwide to combat cybercrime. The FBI led the investigation with support from the Kosovo Police's Cybercrime Investigation Directorate. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlton C. Gammons will prosecute the case, while the FBI's Legal Attaché Office in Sofia and the DOJ's Office of International Affairs played key roles in securing Masurica's arrest and extradition.
The Impact on Victims
The Rydox marketplace has affected thousands of US victims, with over 18,000 users accessing compromised data. The seizure of the Rydox domain and servers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were coordinated operations by the FBI and Royal Malaysian Police. Additionally, $225,000 in cryptocurrency was seized by US authorities.
A Message from the Author
As a journalist, it's essential to shed light on the dark corners of the internet and the cybercrime world. I'll continue to follow this story and provide updates on the investigation and any further developments. Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs, Facebook, and Mastodon for more insights into cybersecurity and law enforcement efforts.
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