chushpan
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Introduction
In the dark corners of the internet, where cybercrime thrives, there exists a subculture of carders — people who specialize in stealing and using credit card data. The term "carder" derives from the English word "carding," which refers to the manipulation of credit cards. This isn't just a hobby or random shenanigans, but an entire ecosystem with its own rules, tools, and, of course, objects of adoration. Carders are often anonymous figures hiding behind proxies and VPNs, motivated by the thirst for easy money and the adrenaline rush of the "hunt."But who and what do they love most? This article will delve into the psychology and preferences of carders, based on general knowledge of the dark web, forums, and cybersecurity reports. We won't delve into technical details or how-tos. Instead, we'll approach the topic at a high level to understand what drives these people.
Who are carders and why do they "love" their work?
Carders aren't a monolithic group. They range from newbies trying their hand at simple schemes to professionals managing entire networks. Their "passion" for the business is often rooted in the illusion of getting rich quick: one successful "fill" (a purchase with a stolen card) can net thousands of dollars. But behind this lies the stress of constant risk — accounts being blocked and transactions being reversed.Above all, carders value freedom and anonymity. In their world, it's like air: without reliable obfuscation tools (proxies, VPNs, dedicated servers), the entire operation collapses. They adore forums like Exploit or Cracked, where they share "success stories" — anonymous tales of how they filled an iPhone for $1,000 and successfully cashed out. This community provides a sense of belonging, like a club for the elite.
Carders' Top Favorite Things: From Tools to People
Based on an analysis of darknet forums and cybersecurity reports (such as those from Verizon DBIR or Chainalysis), we can identify key "favorite" elements in a carder's life. We rank them by popularity based on the frequency of mentions in discussions.1. Fresh and "fat" credit cards (Fullz and CVV)
This is the absolute favorite — the heart of carding. Carders love "full cards" (full details: card number, CVV, owner name, address, and sometimes PIN or SSN). High-limit cards from premium banks like Chase or Amex are especially prized. Why? Because they allow you to "fill" large sums without being quickly detected.- What makes a card "favorite": It's not "killed" (not blocked), and it has a low risk of fraud detection. Carders poetically describe them as "fresh air" or a "gold mine." They look for cards from specific "bins" (the first six digits of the card number identifying the bank) — those with weak or absent 3D Secure (additional verification).
- Why it's love number one: Without cards, there's no profit. Carders spend hours scanning darknet markets (like Empire or Hydra in the past) in search of "valid" data. A successful find is euphoric, like winning the lottery.
2. Reliable "drops" and mules
Second place goes to "drops" — people or accounts that accept goods or transfers. These can be hired "mules" (intermediaries), often from developing countries, or fake eBay/PayPal accounts.- The ideal drop: "Keep quiet and don't show up" — they don't ask questions, don't report to the police, and transfer money reliably. Carders value "live" drops (real people) for their speed, but the risks are high — mules can "rat" (betray).
- Why they love it: Without drops, the product (for example, an ordered laptop) simply won't arrive. It's like a dance partner: if the drop is "reasonable and greedy," the carder feels safe. In chats, they share "recipes" for finding drops, but always with a warning about the risks.
3. Banks and systems with "soft" protection
Carders favor banks with weak security: without strict 3D Secure, with easy OTP (one-time password) bypass. Examples include some regional banks in the EU or US, where transactions are processed without SMS confirmation.- Favorites: "Bins" with a high approval rate. When the bank is slow and lets suspicious purchases through, it's a "little orgasm," as the community jokes.
- Related tools: Proxies (SOCKS5 or residential), which mask the IP as the card's country, and anti-detection browsers (like Multilogin), which imitate a real user.
4. Cashout methods
While carders hate risk, they love effective cashout methods. This includes purchasing goods for resale, converting to crypto, or using services like Western Union.- Popular: Crypto exchanges for laundering through mixers (Tornado Cash in the past), or arbitrage in gaming/casinos, where they "fill" and withdraw to clean accounts.
- Why they love it: It's the final step to real money. A successful cashout is like the climax of a movie.
5. Community and "rats" (with opposite sign)
Carders love their "colleagues" for sharing knowledge, but hate "rats" (traitors) most of all. They adore chats on Telegram or Jabber, where they share "methods" — general ideas without details.- Favorite memes and humor: Jokes about "mom asking about money" or "freelancing." It adds a touch of levity to a stressful world.
The Psychology of Love: What's Behind Preferences?
Carders are often motivated by more than just money. Many see it as a "game" against the system — a challenge to banks and corporations. Their "love" for these tools reflects an adrenaline rush: every successful transaction is like a fix. Research shows that carders are often young (18-30 years old), from countries with economic problems, and see carding as a "way out."But there's also a dark side: they despise fraud detection (systems like Falcon or Riskified), chargebacks, and, of course, law enforcement. Many "burn out" after arrests — as was the case with large networks like Joker's Stash, which were shut down in 2021.
