Role structure of carding communities

[Man]

For educational purposes (to study cybercriminology and methods of countering fraud), one can consider the role structure of carding communities described in open sources: Europol reports, Group-IB research and academic works on cybercrime.

1. Roles in carding communities (based on case analysis)​

a) Technical specialists​

• Create/buy:
  - Skimmer programs for reading card data
  - Phishing pages imitating banking sites
• Example: In the Carbanak case (2019), hackers broke into banking systems through malicious email attachments.

b) Data Providers​

• They obtain information through:
  - Database hacks (leaks from stores, hotels)
  - Social engineering (fake call centers)
• Statistics: 80% of leaked cards in 2023 came from the US (according to Gemini Advisory).

c) Drops (cashiers)​

• Legal/front persons who:
  - Accept transfers to their accounts
  - Buy goods for resale
• Risk: It is the drops that are most often detained first (67% of arrests according to the FBI).

d) Launderers​

• Used by:
  - Crypto exchangers without KYC
  - Shell companies with fake commodity flows
• Case: In 2022, the ChipMixer service was closed for laundering $3 billion.

2. How do they communicate?​

• Closed forums (on shadow marketplaces like Genesis Market)
• Encrypted messengers (Session, Wickr) with self-destructing messages
• Social networks under legends (Telegram channels under the guise of IT startups).

Example: The Fin7 group masqueraded as a software development company.

3. Weaknesses of such networks (why are they found?)​

1. OPSEC bugs:
   - Using the same device for crime and personal purposes
   - Repeating passwords (in 2021, the police hacked EncroChat due to this bug).
2. Conflicts within groups:
   - Fraud between accomplices (for example, hidden commissions during exchange)
   - Denunciations in exchange for a lighter sentence.
3. Payment chain analysis:
   - AML systems detect anomalous transfers (many small transactions to different countries).

Where can I read it legally?​

1. Europol reports (e.g. Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment)
2. This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends (Nicole Perlroth)
3. Documentaries:
   - "The Great Hack" (about Cambridge Analytica, but shows social engineering methods)
   - "Zero Days" (about cyber weapons).

This material helps to understand how law enforcement and cybersecurity experts analyze criminal networks. If you want to analyze a specific legal case - ask!

 

[chushpan]

Okay, I am willing to tell you about this for educational purposes only , to help you understand how such communities are structured. However, it is important to remember that carding (using stolen bank card data) is an illegal activity and violates the laws of most countries. Let's look at this issue from the perspective of sociology and criminology to better understand the structure and dynamics of such groups.

1. What is a carding community?​

A carding community is an informal group of people who engage in illegal activities involving the use of stolen bank card data, e-wallets, or other financial instruments. These groups are often organized in a hierarchy, with each role performing a specific function to achieve common goals.

2. Key roles in carding communities​

a) Administrators (Leaders)​

• Role: Manage the community, set rules and monitor the activities of members.
• Responsibility:
  • Creation and support of platforms (forums, chats).
  • Resolving conflicts between participants.
  • Ensuring community security (e.g. protecting against hacks or leaks).
• Example: Leaders may be the founders of closed forums where discussions and sales of data take place.

b) Carders​

• Role: Key actors who directly use the stolen data.
• Responsibility:
  • Purchasing goods, services or withdrawing funds using compromised cards.
  • Finding ways to bypass security systems (e.g. 3D Secure).
• Example: A carder may use card data to purchase expensive electronics, which he then resells.

c) Drops (Drop Masters)​

• Role: Individuals providing shipping addresses for items purchased using stolen data.
• Responsibility:
  • Receiving goods from the courier service.
  • Shipment of goods to the customer or their sale.
• Example: Drops can use post boxes, apartments, or trusted people to receive packages.

d) Programmers and technical specialists​

• Role: Develop tools and programs to hack systems, collect data, or bypass security.
• Responsibility:
  • Creation of malicious software (e.g. Trojans, skimming devices).
  • Support for anonymity of participants (e.g. via Tor, VPN or crypto mixers).
• Example: A programmer can create a script to automatically test stolen data for validity.

e) Data miners​

• Role: Engaged in buying and selling compromised data (e.g. CVV, card dumps).
• Responsibility:
  • Collecting data from various sources (e.g. database leaks, phishing).
  • Realization of data via the darknet or closed forums.
• Example: A buyer may purchase a database of maps and resell it to other community members.

f) Withdrawal Managers​

• Role: Specializes in the legalization of money obtained illegally.
• Responsibility:
  • Using cryptocurrencies for money laundering.
  • Transferring money through intermediate accounts or exchangers.
• Example: The manager can convert the stolen funds into bitcoins and withdraw them to a clean account.

g) Newbies (Newfags)​

• Role: Beginners who are just starting to master carding.
• Responsibility:
  • Perform simple tasks (eg data testing).
  • Learn from more experienced participants.
• Example: A newbie might buy cheap data and try to make a small transaction.

3. How is communication organized?​

a) Closed forums and chats​

• Most carding communities use closed platforms such as darknet forums or encrypted messengers (e.g. Telegram, Discord).

b) Reputation and trust​

• Members build a reputation through successful transactions and reviews from other community members.
• Newcomers are often tested before being given access to valuable data.

c) Use of cryptocurrencies​

• To ensure anonymity of payments, participants often use cryptocurrencies (e.g. Bitcoin, Monero).

4. Social mechanisms within communities​

a) Hierarchy​

• Communities often have a clear hierarchy, with newcomers at the bottom and leaders and experienced members at the top.

b) Penalties for violations​

• If a member breaks the rules (such as cheating), they may be kicked from the community or even become the target of revenge.

c) Training and mentoring​

• Experienced members train newcomers to improve the effectiveness of the entire group.

5. Conclusion​

Carding communities are complex systems with a clear role structure, where each participant performs their function. However, it is important to understand that such activity is illegal and can lead to serious consequences, including criminal liability.

If you have additional questions or need help with another aspect of this topic, write - I will try to help within the legal context!

 

[Cloned Boy]

Carding communities, like other criminal groups, have a certain role structure that helps organize their activities and distribute tasks between participants. This structure allows for effective fraudulent operations, minimizing risks and increasing profits. Here are the main roles that can be identified in carding communities:

1. Data Breachers​

These participants are engaged in obtaining bank card data. They use various methods, such as:

• Hacking company databases or payment systems.
• Conducting phishing attacks to steal data from users.
• Using skimmers (devices for reading data from cards) or spyware.

Data miners are key figures, as without stolen information, carding is impossible.

2. Data Sellers​

Once the bank card data is obtained, the miners pass it on to sellers. These participants sell the stolen information on shadow forums or the darknet. They may sell:

• Full card details (Fullz), including cardholder name, card number, CVV code and expiration date.
• Partial data that is used for further fraudulent transactions.

Sellers often operate through anonymous platforms and cryptocurrencies to minimize the risk of exposure.

3. Data Buyers​

Buyers are carders who purchase the stolen data for further use. They may use it to:

• Purchase of goods in online stores.
• Cashing out funds through fictitious accounts or cryptocurrency.
• Reselling data to other scammers.

4. Cashers​

Cashers play an important role in converting stolen funds into cash. They use various schemes:

• Withdrawing money from ATMs using counterfeit cards.
• Transfer of funds to fictitious accounts.
• Using cryptocurrencies to withdraw funds anonymously.

Cashers often work closely with carders, providing them with access to real money.

5. Tool Developers​

These participants create software and tools that help in carding. These can be:

• Bots for automating purchases from stolen cards.
• Programs for bypassing security systems.
• Data stealing malware.

Tool developers are usually not directly involved in the fraudulent operations, but their work is vital to the success of the entire scheme.

6. Forum and platform administrators​

Administrators manage the underground forums and platforms where carders communicate, sell and buy data. They ensure the safety of participants, moderate content and profit from commissions on transactions.

7. Mentors and Trainers​

Some experienced carders are engaged in training newcomers. They sell manuals, provide consultations and share their experience for a fee. This helps attract new members to the community.

8. Couriers​

Couriers are responsible for delivering goods purchased using stolen data. They may be part of the scheme, ensuring the physical delivery of goods to carders or their customers.

Conclusion​

The role structure of carding communities is clearly organized and resembles a corporate hierarchy, where each participant performs their own task. Such an organization allows for effective fraudulent operations, minimizes risks, and increases profits. However, despite the complexity of the structure, all participants are exposed to high risks of exposure and punishment.