FBI and SOCA Combat Cybercrime

LOS ANGELES — The FBI has joined forces with the U.K.'s Serious and Organized Crime Agency (SOCA) to target a variety of cybercrime enterprises, in an effort to make the Internet a safer place.

The new initiative comes after an analysis of the business models used by these criminal groups and individuals that are involved in carding and malware distribution, among other offenses. According to SOCA intelligence department head Andy Auld, some of the business models have become increasingly sophisticated and mirror legitimate business models. This has led to the adoption of a three-tiered approach that reportedly attacks botnet and malware creators; "bullet-proof" web hosts; and Internet payment processors that service illegal enterprises and / or engage in shady billing practices.

News of the offensive came at the RSA Europe Conference during a keynote presentation in which Auld and FBI Special Agent Keith Mularski cited the now defunct Russian Business Network (RBN) as an example of the enterprises being pursued. RBN was reportedly built from the ground up as a criminal operation; involved in fraud, illegal child pornography, malware distribution and more; including alleged corruption of officials in St. Petersburg.

"This was a well organized organization not a cottage industry. RBN was the e-crime component in a wider criminal portfolio," Auld said. "There were strong indications RBN had the local police, local judiciary and local government in St. Petersburg in its pocket. Our investigation hit significant hurdles."

"All we achieved was disruption, not a prosecution," Auld added. "We believe RBN is back in business, pursuing a slightly different business model."

Botnets, such as those used for obfuscating identity; stealing credentials; spamming and malware distribution; and carder forums (similar to adult industry webmaster forums), catering to Russian and English-speaking webmasters, are also under attack.

Mularski described these forums, as having established hierarchies, where board admins receive a percentage for running escrow and other services, while reviewers are used to manage the sites and "confirm" the quality of stolen card numbers being offered on the site. Carders and hackers supply much of the stolen data, while the rank and file members, including many wannabe scammers, make up the bulk of the forum members.

The two law enforcement agencies are actively seeking to infiltrate these groups directly or recruit sources from within these organizations.

"Traditional policing is reactive," Auld stated. "Cybercrime enforcement, by contrast, has to be pro-active."

"We are working in partnership to make Internet governance a less permissive environment," Auld said — and while that quote is taken somewhat out of context, it clearly sounds the end of business as usual for some of the Internet's worst criminals and scammers.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Two Texas Bills Restricting Sex Toy Sales Fail to Pass

Two bills aimed at restricting sales of sex toys have failed to pass the Texas state legislature during its 2025 session.

NYC Adult Stores Petition for Rehearing in Zoning Law Case

A group of adult businesses on Tuesday petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to rehear a case involving a zoning law that could severely limit adult stores’ operations in New York City.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

New AV Rules Take Effect for Ireland-Based Sites

Ireland’s Online Safety Code came into force Monday, including a provision requiring adult sites headquartered in Ireland to implement age assurance measures beyond self-declaration.

XBIZ Amsterdam Calls on New Startups for 'Spotlight' Program

XBIZ is pleased to announce that its new “Startup Spotlight” programming will make its European premiere at XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel Amsterdam.

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Show More