US Sanctions Russia-Based Online Marketplace for Cybercrime

The U.S. this week sanctioned Genesis Market, one of the world’s “largest illicit marketplaces,” for illegally selling stolen data, including usernames and passwords. The marketplace is “believed” to be based in Russia, the Office of Foreign Assets Control said, where it operates as one of the “most prominent brokers of stolen credentials and other sensitive information,” including information from U.S. and international companies. Cybercriminals also have used Genesis Market to target the U.S. government, OFAC said.

The sanctions were coordinated with the Justice Department, which worked with the FBI and “international partners” to conduct an “unprecedented takedown” of the marketplace, Attorney General Merrick Garland said. DOJ said it worked with other countries to seize 11 domain names “used to support Genesis Market’s infrastructure” and arrested users.