History of CarderPlanet carding forum

[Professor]

CarderPlanet was one of the most famous carding forums active in the 2000s. It became a symbol of the heyday of cybercrime related to the theft and sale of credit card data. Below is an overview of its activities, dismantling and aftermath, for educational purposes only.

1. Creation and activity​

• Period of Operation: CarderPlanet was active from 2002 to 2004.
• Purpose: The platform served as a marketplace for trading stolen credit card data (PAN, CVV), personal information (SSN, passports) and fraud tools (e.g. skimmers, phishing sites).
• Structure: The forum had sections for discussing data theft techniques, sharing experiences between members, and selling "services" (such as making counterfeit cards).

2. Participants and methods​

• Who participated?
  • Hackers who specialize in breaking into databases.
  • Fraudsters selling stolen data.
  • Dealers selling phishing and skimming software.
• How did you hide?
  • They used pseudonyms and anonymous email services.
  • Transactions were carried out through cryptocurrencies (before the mass distribution of Bitcoin - for example, e-gold or WebMoney).
  • Encrypted messengers and IRC channels were used for communication.

3. Liquidation and arrests​

• FBI and Europol Operation:
  In 2004, the FBI, together with international partners, carried out Operation Firewall, which resulted in the closure of CarderPlanet.
  • Main characters:
    • Sanford Wallace (nickname The Spam King) is one of the administrators.
    • Participants from the USA, Great Britain, Russia and Ukraine.
  • Investigation methods:
    • Hacking of servers hosted in the Czech Republic.
    • Fake transactions to identify key players.
    • Monitoring transactions through financial institutions.
• Results:
  • 28 people were arrested.
  • More than $4.5 million in cash and equipment was seized.
  • CarderPlanet has been permanently closed.

4. Consequences​

• Legal:
  • Sanford Wallace received 2.5 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for organizing fraudulent operations.
  • Other participants received sentences ranging from 1 to 10 years.
• Impact on cybercrime:
  • After CarderPlanet closed, many participants moved to new platforms (for example, DarkMarket).
  • The event marked a turning point in the fight against darknet crime, demonstrating the effectiveness of international cooperation.

5. Technical features​

• Protection from surveillance:
  • The forum used secure servers and required registration confirmation through special codes.
  • Transactions through anonymous payment systems.
• Training for beginners:
  • There were threads on the forum with instructions on how to create phishing sites, bypass security systems (such as AVS), and use skimmers.

6. Significance for the history of cybercrime​

CarderPlanet was the first major carding forum to attract the attention of global intelligence agencies. Its takedown showed:

1. The Vulnerability of Anonymity: Even on the "dark side of the Internet" identities can be revealed.
2. Need for International Cooperation: The success of Operation Firewall was an example of coordination between countries.
3. Evolution of Cybercrime: Since CarderPlanet's closure, cybercriminals have begun to use more sophisticated methods (e.g. Tor, cryptocurrency, ransomware).

Conclusion​

The CarderPlanet story is an important lesson in how even the most “secure” criminal activity can be uncovered. Modern technology and international cooperation make cybercrime increasingly vulnerable. Use your knowledge to protect the digital world, not to destroy it.

 

[Cloned Boy]

History of CarderPlanet – The First Large Carding Forum​

CarderPlanet (2001–2006) – one of the first and most famous Russian-language forums dedicated to cybercrime, carding and payment system fraud.

1. Foundation and flourishing (2001–2004)​

• Creator: Known by the pseudonym "Script" (real identity not revealed).
• Objective: To share knowledge about hacking banking systems, phishing, counterfeiting cards and money laundering.
• Audience: Hackers, carders, phishers, fraudsters, counterfeiters and even bank employees.

Main sections:​

✔ Carding (selling leaked card data)
✔ Forging (forging documents and cards)
✔ Phishing and social engineering
✔ Money laundering
✔ Selling malware

2. Notable Participants and Scandals​

• "Boa" (Alexey Petrov) - one of the key moderators, later arrested.
• "Zm1x" is a well-known hacker associated with data theft.
• "King Arthur" sold bank databases.

Connection to international crime​

• The forum collaborated with ShadowCrew (an American carding forum).
• CarderPlanet members have been involved in attacks on eBay, PayPal, Western Union.

3. Fall and Arrests (2004–2006)​

Operation Firewall (2004)​

• The FBI and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine carried out a large-scale operation against the participants.
• 28 people were arrested, including Script (the founder).
• The forum has temporarily stopped working.

Attempts at restoration (2005–2006)​

• After Script's arrest, the forum was relaunched, but was no longer as influential .
• In 2006 it was finally closed due to pressure from law enforcement agencies.

4. CarderPlanet Legacy​

• The standard for darknet forums - many modern sites (for example, AlphaBay, Hydra ) have adopted its structure.
• Cybercrime on the rise in the CIS – CarderPlanet has become a “training ground” for fraudsters.
• Strengthening control over payments – banks have implemented 3D Secure, VBV, and anti-fraud systems.

5. Is it possible to find the CarderPlanet archive?​

• Some topics have been preserved in the Wayback Machine (archive.org), but most of the data has been lost.
• Modern analogues (for example, Exploit.in, XSS.is) work in the darknet.

Conclusion​

CarderPlanet was the first major cybercrime school in RuNet. Its history shows how carding developed and how law enforcement learned to combat such platforms.