THE FBI seized the LeakBase cybercrime forum, a platform used to trade hacking tools and stolen data, as part of Operation Leak led by Europol, which coordinated actions across 14 countries. According to Europol, Active since 2021, LeakBase became a key hub for trading leaked databases and “stealer logs” containing credentials stolen by infostealer malware, operating openly in English and combining marketplace and discussion features.
By December 2025, the forum had more than 142 000 registered users, roughly 32 000 posts and over 215 000 private messages, underscoring its reach. On 3 March, law enforcement carried out coordinated actions worldwide, including arrests, house searches, and about 100 interventions targeting 37 of the most active users; the following day, the domain was seized and replaced with a law‑enforcement notice.
Europol’s involvement included mapping the forum’s infrastructure, analysing user activity, and generating leads across borders, with investigators planning a prevention phase to deter cybercrime and raise awareness. Authorities from 14 countries participated, including the United Kingdom, and the operation signals that anonymity online is limited for those trading in stolen information.