Dark Web ‘BreachForums’ Operator Charged With Computer Crime

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: Federal agents have arrested a Peekskill, New York, man they say ran the notorious dark web data-breach site “BreachForums” under the name “Pompompurin.” Conor Brian Fitzpatrick was arrested by a team of investigators at his home around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, an FBI agent said in a sworn statement filed in court the next day. Fitzpatrick is charged with a single count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud.

BreachForums hosted the stolen databases of almost 1,000 companies and websites. The databases often includes personal information, such as names, emails and passwords. The information is offered for sale by users of the site and can be used for fraud. Pompompurin’s profile on BreachForums describes him as “Bossman” and pictures the Sanrio Co. cartoon dog whose name he used as an online alias. The profile shows Fitzpatrick’s most recent visit to the site was Wednesday at 3:53 p.m., shortly before his arrest. The FBI agent, who led the other agents in the arrest, said Fitzpatrick admitted he had used the alias “Pompompurin” and was the owner and operator of BreachForums.

In November 2021, Pompompurin claimed responsibility for sending out fake emails that originated from an “fbi.gov” email address. Pompompurin claimed responsibility for the breach in an interview with Brian Krebs. Details of the charges, filed in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, have not been made public. A spokeswoman for the US Attorney in Alexandria didn’t return phone and email messages seeking comment. Fitzpatrick was presented in federal court in White Plains, New York, and released on a $300,000 unsecured bond, signed by his parents. Fitzpatrick is required to avoid any contact with co-defendant, co-conspirators and witnesses in the case. He’s due to appear in court in Alexandria on March 24.

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