FBI seizes LeakBase cybercrime forum, data of 142,000 members

Bleeping Computer

by Sergiu Gatlan

March 4, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The FBI, in collaboration with Europol and law enforcement agencies from 14 countries, has successfully shut down LeakBase, a prominent cybercrime forum used by over 142,000 members for buying and selling hacking tools, stolen data, and other malicious activities. This operation, named "Operation Leak," involved seizing the forum's domains, replacing them with a notice from the FBI, and securing all content, including user accounts, private messages, and IP logs, for evidentiary purposes. The move disrupted a major hub for cybercriminal activity, marking a significant win in the global fight against online crime. LeakBase, active since 2021, had grown rapidly following the closure of other similar forums like Breached and was supported by the ARES threat group. It offered various features, including an escrow payment system, a marketplace for leaks and exploits, and spaces for discussing hacking techniques and cybersecurity practices. The forum's shutdown follows previous takedowns of major cybercrime platforms such as RaidForums in 2022 and BreachForums in 2023, underscoring a sustained effort to dismantle these networks. During the operation, law enforcement executed over 100 actions worldwide, including arrests, house searches, and interviews. The seizure phase involved replacing LeakBase's domain with a FBI splash page, which serves as a deterrent against further criminal

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Originally published on Bleeping Computer on 3/4/2026