Cooperation between carders and the police

[chushpan]

Cooperation between carders and the police is a phenomenon that occurs in the practice of law enforcement agencies and can be both voluntary and forced. It is often used to uncover larger criminal schemes, such as organized groups of carders, hackers or scammers working on the darknet. Let's consider the main aspects of such cooperation.

1. Reasons why carders cooperate with the police​

1.1 Mitigation of Punishment​

• Once arrested, carders may offer their assistance to law enforcement in exchange for a lighter sentence.
• This is especially true for those who are caught for the first time and do not have a serious criminal history.

1.2. Pressure from the investigation​

• Police can put pressure on detainees by offering them a choice: cooperate or face the maximum prison term.
• In some cases, detainees are threatened with additional charges to induce them to cooperate.

1.3. Personal safety​

• Carders who work in groups may fear retaliation from their accomplices if exposed.
• Cooperation with the police may provide them with protection (for example, a witness protection program).

1.4. Financial motivation​

• In rare cases, law enforcement may offer a cash reward for information about other participants in the criminal scheme.

2. Forms of cooperation​

2.1 Provision of information​

• The detained carder can provide information about:
  • Sources of stolen maps.
  • Hacking or phishing methods.
  • Members of a criminal group.
  • Underground forums and darknet sites.
  • Money laundering technologies.

2.2. Assistance in conducting operations​

• A carder can be used as an "agent" to infiltrate criminal networks:
  • He continues to communicate with other participants, collecting evidence.
  • May help identify new attackers or their methods of operation.

2.3. Setting traps​

• Sometimes carders help police organize "controlled delivery":
  • For example, they send goods to an address that is controlled by law enforcement.
  • This allows you to detain other participants in the chain.

2.4. Technology Consulting​

• Carders with technical skills can explain how certain tools or techniques work (e.g. card generators, phishing sites, exploits).

3. Benefits for law enforcement agencies​

3.1. Disclosing large criminal networks​

• The cooperation of one carder can lead to the exposure of entire organized groups.
• The police gain access to inside information about the structure and methods of operation of criminals.

3.2. Rapid response​

• Carders can provide up-to-date information on ongoing operations, allowing police to act quickly.

3.3. Collection of evidence​

• Information from carders helps to collect evidence against other participants in the criminal scheme (for example, screenshots of correspondence, IP addresses, bank details).

3.4. Closure of underground platforms​

• Carders can help identify and block darknet sites where illegal transactions take place.

4. Examples from practice​

Example 1: "The Planted Cossack"​

In one case, a detained carder agreed to cooperate with the police and continued to communicate with other members of his group. He provided law enforcement with information about the location of the servers storing the stolen data, which allowed them to shut down a large forum on the darknet.

Example 2: "Controlled payment"​

Police used the arrested carder to conduct a transaction using a counterfeit card, which allowed them to identify the merchant who was accepting such payments and arrest him.

Example 3: "Technical Consultant"​

One of the carders, who had deep knowledge of cybersecurity, helped law enforcement understand how a sophisticated Trojan used to steal card data works.

5. Risks for carders​

5.1. Distrust from accomplices​

• If other group members find out about cooperating with the police, this may lead to retaliation or exclusion from the group.

5.2. Legal consequences​

• Even if the carder cooperates, this does not guarantee complete exemption from liability.
• In some cases, the court may find cooperation insufficient to reduce the sentence.

5.3. Ethics and psychological pressure​

• For some carders, cooperating with the police can be psychologically difficult, especially if they feel like traitors.

6. How do law enforcement officers use trust?​

6.1. Creating a Legend​

• Police may create a "legend" for the carder so that he can continue to communicate with other members of the criminal group without suspicion.

6.2. Control over actions​

• All actions of the carder are carefully monitored by law enforcement officers to avoid escape or committing new crimes.

6.3. Ensuring Security​

• If the carder agrees to cooperate, the police may provide him with temporary protection or transport him to another region.

7. Conclusion​

Cooperation between carders and police is a two-way process that can benefit both parties:

• For carders: a chance to reduce their punishment or to be protected from revenge.
• For the police: the opportunity to uncover large criminal networks and prevent new crimes.

However, it is important to understand that such cooperation requires careful planning and oversight by law enforcement to minimize risks and maximize results.

The main takeaway: Any form of criminal activity, including carding, entails serious legal consequences. Cooperation with the police may be a way out for some criminals, but the best way to avoid problems is not to engage in illegal activities in the first place.