In August 2025, it was discovered that BreachForums was seized by Law Enforcement.
The infamous cybercrime marketplace BreachForums has been compromised. Reports suggest it is now a honeypot controlled by law enforcement agencies.
The shocking revelation came from ShinyHunters, a well-known threat actor. They posted a PGP-signed warning on Telegram, claiming French law enforcement, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the FBI seized control of the forum, its infrastructure, and official PGP key.
Shortly after the announcement, BreachForums went offline, reinforcing suspicions of law enforcement control.
What happened to the BreachForums Data?
According to ShinyHunters, law enforcement gained deep access to BreachForums after its recent reinstatement.
Compromised administrator accounts allegedly include “Hollow” and “ShinyHunters” itself. Even more alarming, the “Founder” account was reportedly operated by a federal agent.
This breach exposed highly sensitive information:
- Private messages
- Plaintext passwords
- IP addresses
- Email addresses
ShinyHunters also claimed the forum’s source code was modified to log user activity, effectively transforming BreachForums into a surveillance platform.
Identities Behind BreachForums Administration
The message also clarified years of speculation. ShinyHunters confirmed that administrator accounts “Anastasia” and “Hollow” were alternate identities they controlled.
While they insisted their personal PGP key remains secure, ShinyHunters urged the cybercrime community to treat any reappearance of BreachForums as a law enforcement trap.
Warning to the Cybercrime Community
ShinyHunters warned that BreachForums “will not be returning under legitimate operation.”
They advised all users to avoid the platform, stressing that the site is now a tool for surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The swift forum shutdown suggests a major disruption within the cybercrime underground, shaking confidence in once-trusted spaces for trading stolen data.
What This Means for Cybercrime and Data Security
The takedown of BreachForums highlights the growing global collaboration against cybercrime. With international law enforcement actively infiltrating and seizing platforms, the risks for cybercriminals are higher than ever.
For businesses and individuals, the case underscores the importance of cybersecurity awareness. Stolen data and leaked credentials are no longer confined to dark web forums, they are now monitored by authorities.
