In a blow to cybercriminal networks, the FBI has seized the domains of two prominent hacking forums, Cracked.io and Nulled.to, as part of a coordinated international operation named “Operation Talent.”
These forums, notorious for facilitating cybercrime activities such as credential theft and software piracy, were taken offline on January 29, 2025.
The takedown also targeted other platforms involved in illicit activities, including StarkRDP.io, Sellix.io, and MySellix.io.
Operation Talent: A Global Effort
According to the post from DarkWebInformer, the operation was a collaborative effort involving law enforcement agencies from the United States, Europe, Australia, and other countries.
Visitors to the seized domains are now greeted with banners indicating that the websites have been taken over by international law enforcement.
The banners also state that information about the users and victims of these platforms has been confiscated.
The FBI has yet to release an official statement regarding the seizures. However, Europol and other international agencies have confirmed their involvement in this sweeping crackdown.
According to cybersecurity experts, this action highlights a growing trend of global cooperation to dismantle cybercrime infrastructures.
The Role of Cracked.io and Nulled.to in Cybercrime
Cracked.io and Nulled.to were hubs for various illegal activities, including:
- Credential Stuffing: Both forums hosted “combo lists,” which are compilations of stolen usernames and passwords used for unauthorized access to accounts.
- Software Piracy: They provided cracked software licenses and hacking tools.
- Hacking Tutorials: Users could find guides on exploiting vulnerabilities through methods like phishing and SQL injection.
These platforms also served as marketplaces for stolen data, hacked accounts, and malicious software.
While some members claimed to engage in ethical hacking discussions, the forums were widely regarded as central to low-tier cybercrime ecosystems.
The administrators of Cracked.io acknowledged the seizure on their Telegram channel, describing it as “a sad day indeed for our community.”
They also stated that they are awaiting official court documentation from their data center and domain host.
Implications and Future Challenges
The takedown of Cracked.io and Nulled.to is a significant victory for law enforcement agencies combating cybercrime.
However, experts caution that such actions often lead to the emergence of new platforms filling the void left by those taken down.
This “Whac-A-Mole” dynamic is a persistent challenge in the fight against cybercrime.
Additionally, the seizure could provide valuable intelligence about forum users involved in illegal activities.
The confiscated data may help identify individuals responsible for past cyberattacks or those planning future ones.
Despite this victory, questions remain about whether these forums will resurface under new domains or aliases.
Historically, similar takedowns have led to rebranding efforts by forum administrators or the creation of entirely new platforms.
The seizure of Cracked.io and Nulled.to underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing cybercrime.
While this operation disrupts two major hubs for illicit activity, it also highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in keeping pace with evolving threats in cyberspace.
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