FBI Arrests British Hacker for $25 Million Data Breach

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully apprehended a British national, Kai West, who operated under the alias "IntelBroker" on cybercrime forums. West was indicted for allegedly selling stolen data on BreachForums, resulting in damages exceeding $25 million. The US Southern District of New York Attorney’s Office announced the indictment, highlighting the FBI's commitment to pursuing cybercriminals globally. West, under the pseudonym IntelBroker, was active on various online black markets and was responsible for stealing data from multiple companies, including a telecommunications firm, a municipal healthcare provider, an internet service provider, and over 40 other corporations.

The arrest was triggered by an undercover operation where an FBI agent posed as a buyer, purchasing data for $250 worth of Bitcoin. The transaction led to the delivery of three admin-level usernames and passwords, which were part of the stolen data. West and his collaborators allegedly offered this illicitly acquired data for sale for over $2 million. He was subsequently arrested in France in February, and the US is currently seeking his extradition.

FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia described West as a "serial hacker" who was able to sell stolen data for millions in illicit funds. IntelBroker was notably active on the now-defunct cybercrime forum BreachForums, where he gained notoriety and was eventually identified as the site’s owner starting in August 2024. A review of 158 threads allegedly started by West on BreachForums revealed that he offered stolen data for sale in Forum-1 credits, as well as for free. His activities spanned from approximately January 2023 to February 2025, with at least 41 of his threads selling data from companies based in the US. Of those 158 threads, 16 posts included a specific asking price for the data, totaling at least $2,467,000. West also accepted payments via the privacy coin Monero.

The case underscores the ongoing threat of data breaches and the significant financial impact they can have on victims. The FBI's successful operation highlights the agency's capability to infiltrate and dismantle cybercrime networks, even when they operate across international borders. The arrest of West serves as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for continuous vigilance against cyber threats.