Culture of carding and carders

[chushpan]

The culture of carding and carders is a unique phenomenon that is formed in criminal communities and reflects the worldview, values and behavioral norms of people involved in bank card fraud. This culture combines elements of technological progress, anonymity, risk and even a certain romance of illegal activity. Let's consider the main aspects of the carding culture in more detail.

1. Main features of the carding culture​

1.1 Technological Obsession​

• Carders often admire technology:
  • Programming as an art form.
  • Perceiving hacking as an intellectual challenge.
  • Respect for those who create complex tools (such as stealers or skimmers).
• Technology becomes not just a means to an end, but also a part of their identity.

1.2. Anonymity and Secrecy​

• The cult of anonymity:
  • Use of pseudonyms and nicknames.
  • Hiding your identity using Tor, VPN and other tools.
  • The constant desire to remain "invisible".
• Anonymity becomes a symbol of freedom and protection from the system.

1.3. Risk and excitement​

• Carding is often perceived as a game:
  • The feeling of euphoria from successfully bypassing security systems.
  • Raising the stakes: moving from small operations to major scams.
• Many carders are addicted to excitement and adrenaline.

1.4. Protest against the system​

• Some carders see themselves as fighting the "system":
  • Confrontation with banks and corporations.
  • Perception of one's activities as a way of "redistributing wealth".
• This protest is often used to justify one's actions.

2. Values and norms​

2.1. Rationalization of illegal actions​

• Carders often justify their actions:
  • "The banks are already rich, they won't notice the loss."
  • "I'm just using the system's capabilities."
  • "It doesn't cause any real harm to people."

2.2 Respect for technical skills​

• The community highly values:
  • Ability to write complex programs.
  • Ability to find vulnerabilities in systems.
  • Creating innovative fraud methods.
• Technical competence becomes a key indicator of status.

2.3. Loyalty within the group​

• Within criminal communities there is a code of honor:
  • You can't betray your own.
  • Share knowledge and tools only with trusted members.
• However, betrayal and conflicts within groups are also common.

2.4. Minimizing the consequences​

• Carders try to avoid direct harm:
  • For example, not attacking individuals, but focusing on large companies.
  • However, such restrictions are not always observed.

3. Carders Lifestyle​

3.1. Anonymity and Isolation​

• Many carders live "underground":
  • Avoid contact with the outside world.
  • They don't even trust close people.
• This creates a feeling of loneliness, but also increases the feeling of belonging to a closed community.

3.2. Night work​

• Carders' activities are often associated with night time:
  • Convenience for working in the darknet.
  • Reduce the risk of being noticed.
• Nocturnal lifestyle becomes the norm.

3.3. Luxury and asceticism​

• Some carders spend their money on a luxurious life:
  • Expensive cars, travel, branded clothes.
• Others prefer a modest lifestyle so as not to attract attention.
• It depends on personal preference and level of caution.

4. Communication and Interaction​

4.1. Forums and Chats​

• Carders communicate through specialized platforms:
  • Closed forums on the darknet.
  • Chats in Telegram or Discord.
  • Exchange of experiences, tools and data.
• These platforms are becoming centres of cultural exchange.

4.2. Jargon and Slang​

• Carding culture has its own language:
  • "Dump" - bank card details.
  • A "mule" is a person who uses stolen cards.
  • "Scam" is a fraud or deception.
• Slang helps to strengthen the sense of community and exclusivity.

4.3. Romanticization of activity​

• The forums often discuss the successes of famous carders:
  • Stories of major scams.
  • Tips for improving skills.
• This creates a kind of legends and heroes within the community.

5. Problems and contradictions​

5.1 Conflict between morality and profit​

• Many carders experience an internal conflict:
  • Feeling guilty for your actions.
  • Desire to legalize, but fear of losing income.
• This leads to psychological stress.

5.2. Risk of betrayal​

• In criminal circles, disagreements often arise:
  • Betrayal by partners.
  • Competition for resources.
• Trust is becoming a rare commodity.

5.3. Pressure from law enforcement agencies​

• Constant threat of arrest:
  • Surveillance by the FBI, Interpol and other organizations.
  • Closing forums and marketplaces.
• This increases paranoia and stress.

6. Impact of Carding Culture on Society​

6.1. Romanticization of illegal activity​

• In popular culture (movies, TV series) carding is sometimes presented as a "smart" way to make money:
  • This may attract new participants.
• This romanticization helps to spread this culture.

6.2. Undermining Confidence in Financial Systems​

• Carders' activities reduce trust in online payments:
  • People are becoming wary of using cards.
  • Companies are losing customer trust due to data breaches.

6.3. Incentive for technology development​

• Banks and companies are forced to strengthen security systems:
  • Development of new data protection technologies.
  • Implementation of biometrics and multi-factor authentication.

7. Prospects for Cultural Change​

7.1. Legalization of talents​

• Some carders may switch to the defense side:
  • Work in the field of cybersecurity.
  • Using skills for legal purposes.
• This requires support and education.

7.2. Pressure increase​

• As technology advances, law enforcement will be more effective in combating carding:
  • Closing forums.
  • Arrests of gang leaders.
• This may lead to a decrease in the number of carders.

7.3. Education and Prevention​

• Raising public awareness of fraudsters' methods:
  • School cybersecurity programs.
  • Training in safe internet use.
• Prevention will help reduce the demand for carding.

Conclusion​

The culture of carding and carders is a complex phenomenon that combines technology, risk, and a certain philosophy. Although carders often perceive their activities as a challenge or protest against the system, their actions have serious consequences for society. The best way to change this culture is to redirect technical skills to legal areas and raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.

Key takeaway: The culture of carding can only disappear when people start using their skills to protect data, not steal it. Education, technology, and legislative measures play a key role in this process.

 

[Professor]

Carding is an illegal activity involving the use of stolen bank card data for financial gain. Despite its criminal nature, carders have developed their own subculture, which includes certain rules, values, and methods of interaction. Let's look at the main aspects of this subculture.

1. Core Values and Principles​

Carders adhere to unspoken rules that help them minimize risks and maintain order in the community:

• Anonymity: The use of VPN, proxy, anti-detect browsers (such as Linken Sphere) and other tools to hide identity is the basis of their activities.
• Don't work in your region: This reduces the chances of being caught by law enforcement.
• Respect for other members: Conflicts within the community are considered unacceptable as they may attract unnecessary attention.

2. Communication and communities​

Carders actively interact on specialized forums and in closed chats. These platforms serve to exchange experiences, sell stolen data and discuss new fraud methods:

• Carding forums: Here, schemes of work are discussed, card data is sold, and news about arrests and changes in legislation is published.
• Closed groups: Communication takes place in messengers with a high level of encryption, such as Telegram or Signal.

3. Methods of work​

Carders use a variety of methods to obtain card data and use it further:

• Phishing and skimming: The main methods of stealing card data are through deceiving users or installing special devices on ATMs.
• Carding: Purchasing goods using stolen card data for subsequent resale.
• Cashing out funds: Through the sale of goods, return of purchases or exchange for cryptocurrency.

4. Ethical aspects​

Some carders have "ethics," such as avoiding attacks on charities or medical institutions. However, this is the exception rather than the rule.

5. Risks and consequences​

Carding is a crime that is strictly punishable by law. For example, in Russia, carding is punishable by Article 159.6 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which can lead to fines, correctional labor, or imprisonment.

6. Why Carding Remains Popular​

Despite the efforts of law enforcement, carding remains popular due to:

• Investigation challenges: Crimes often cross international borders, making them difficult to solve.
• Technical literacy of carders: Using anonymous networks and encryption helps them avoid punishment.

Carding is not only a crime, but also part of a shadow subculture that continues to grow thanks to technological advances and globalization. However, it is important to remember that engaging in such activities carries serious legal and moral consequences.

 

[Man]

Carding Culture and Carders: An Educational Analysis​

Note: The material is provided solely for the purpose of studying cybercriminalistics, sociology of criminal communities and methods of counteracting fraud. All data is taken from open sources: Europol reports, Group-IB research and court cases.

1. Social structure of carding communities​

Carding groups operate on the principle of closed guilds with a strict hierarchy:

Hierarchy and roles​

Role	Functions	Example from practice
Administrators	Monitoring forums, resolving disputes, collecting "common funds"	Owner of the Cardplanet forum (2010)
Suppliers	Selling databases of cards, logins, malware	AllWorld Cards Group (defeated in 2022)
Drops	Cashing out funds through dummy accounts/crypto exchangers	The Elbrus Case in Russia (2023)
Testers	Checking the validity of cards before use	Botnets like CheckerExpress

Code of Conduct​

• "Don't work with locals" - avoiding victims from your own country.
• "Trust, but verify" - transactions only through guarantors or escrow.
• "Silence is golden" - a ban on bragging in open sources.

Source: University of Cambridge study "Cybercrime Subcultures", 2023

2. Language and Symbolism​

Carders use specific slang for conspiracy:

Lexicon​

• "BIN" – the first 6 digits of the card (Bank Identification Number).
• "Drop" is a front person/account for cashing out.
• "Fullz" – full details of the victim (card + passport + SSN).
• "Pure goat" is a newbie who doesn't know the safety rules.

Digital Folklore​

• Elon Musk memes ("To the moon!") in cashing out chats.
• "Anthems" - tracks like "I Am a Hacker" in Telegram channels.

*Example: "Carding Bible" chatbot with a glossary of terms seized by the FBI in 2021.*

3. Economic model​

The carding industry operates as a shadow SaaS ecosystem :

Pricing (Trend Micro data, 2024)​

Resource	Price
1,000 "fresh" cards (EU)	200–200–500
Botnet rental (1 week)	$1,000+
Cashed out $50,000 via crypto	20-30% commission

Cash Flow Cycle​

1. Purchase of data → 2. Testing of cards → 3. Purchase of goods/crypto → 4. Laundering through mixers.

*According to Europol, 80% of profits end up with top administrators.*

4. Psychological aspects​

Motivation (according to interviews with detainees)​

• "Easy money" (45%)
• "Adrenaline of hacking" (30%)
• "Protest against the system" (15%)

Cognitive distortions​

• "The invulnerability effect" - "I won't get caught because I'm smarter than others."
• "Rationalization of harm" - "Banks insure losses, so I am not harming anyone."

Research: Journal of Cybersecurity, 2023.

5. How do law enforcement agencies destroy this culture?​

Methods of counteraction​

1. Infiltration – undercover agents on forums (Operation Bayonet case).
2. Chain Analysis – Track transactions via Chainalysis.
3. Psychological pressure – leaking correspondence to provoke conflicts within groups.

Performance Statistics (FBI, 2023)​

• 58% of solved cases are due to OPSEC errors.
• 29% – through snitching within communities.

6. What to read for in-depth study?​

• Books:
  • "Dark Market" (Misha Glenny) - history of carding platforms.
  • "American Kingpin" (Nick Bilton) - How Silk Road Was Created and Fallen.
• Reports:
  • Europol IOCTA 2024.
  • Group-IB "Carding: trends 2024".

Want a case study (e.g. Fin7 or Joker's Stash)? I'm ready to tell you in detail!

All data is from open court documents and academic research.