CRIME

Catching a Cyber Shadow: Big Bust in Ukraine

Thu Jul 24 2025

In a significant victory for cybercrime fighters, Ukraine has apprehended the suspected leader of XSS.is, a notorious online hub for criminals. This operation, spanning four years, involved collaboration with France and Europol.

The Dark Marketplace

XSS.is, active since 2013, functioned as a shadowy marketplace where criminals traded:

  • Malicious software
  • Stolen data
  • Ransomware tools

The site went offline immediately following the arrest, signaling a major disruption in cybercriminal activities.

The Hunt

Authorities tracked encrypted communications on the messaging platform Jabber. A critical breakthrough came in September, leading to the eventual capture of the suspect. The suspect's identity remains undisclosed.

The Impact

The intercepted chats revealed extensive illegal operations, with the group generating at least $7 million from their illicit activities. This bust underscores the scale of cybercrime while highlighting a significant victory for law enforcement.

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questions

    If the admin of XSS.is were a superhero, what would their origin story and powers be?
    Could the arrest of the XSS.is admin be a staged event to distract from larger cybercrime operations?
    How might cybercriminals adapt their strategies in response to the shutdown of XSS.is?

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