Dutch police have made a significant arrest, apprehending a suspected super user of the infamous cybercriminal marketplace, Genesis Market. The suspect is believed to be one of the top 10 most active buyers of stolen digital credentials and access to compromised computers from the dismantled marketplace.
The arrest, disclosed by the Netherlands’ national police force, involved a 32-year-old Dutch citizen who typically resides in Brazil but was apprehended in the town of Barendrecht.
In April, international law enforcement, including the FBI and various European, Australian, and Canadian agencies, carried out Operation Cookie Monster, leading to the dismantling of Genesis Market and 170 arrests worldwide. Despite the shutdown, Dutch police continued to investigate Genesis Market activities, leading to the recent arrest and the apprehension of 18 individuals from the Netherlands connected to the cybercriminal bazaar.
Genesis Market was a notorious platform that provided access to over 1.5 million compromised computers and more than 80 million stolen account credentials. Apart from login details, the marketplace also facilitated the sale of device fingerprints, including browser cookies and system information.
Even after the shutdown, Dutch authorities warned citizens about the potential risks, as cybercriminals could still exploit the malicious tools obtained from Genesis Market to launch attacks.
In response to the Genesis Market incident and to assist citizens in identifying if their information had been compromised, the agency launched a portal that has successfully identified over 1,800 Dutch victims affected by the marketplace’s illicit activities.
The ongoing investigation highlights the growing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and protect individuals and businesses from the impact of such criminal activities.
