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The operation dismantles “VerifTools,” an illicit marketplace responsible for producing and distributing fake driver’s licenses, passports, and other forms of identification designed to circumvent verification systems and facilitate unauthorized account takeovers.
Investigation Uncovers Global Counterfeiting Network
The Federal Bureau of Investigation launched its investigation in August 2022 after intelligence revealed a conspiracy to exploit stolen personal data for accessing cryptocurrency accounts.
Agents discovered that VerifTools offered high-quality counterfeit identification documents for all 50 U.S. states as well as several foreign nations.
Prices started as low as nine dollars per document, with transactions conducted exclusively in cryptocurrency to evade traditional banking scrutiny.
Leveraging undercover operations on the VerifTools platform, the FBI purchased counterfeit New Mexico driver’s licenses.
Analysis of blockchain records tied to these purchases led investigators to trace approximately $6.4 million in illicit proceeds flowing through the marketplace.
The breadth of the operation—and the sophistication of its forgery techniques—posed a significant threat to identity verification protocols employed by financial institutions, online services, and government agencies.
“The internet is not a refuge for criminals.
If you build or sell tools that let offenders impersonate victims, you are part of the crime,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “We will use every lawful tool to disrupt your business, take the profit out of it, and bring you to justice.
No one operation is bigger than us together.”
Partnership and Global Cooperation Yield Success
The takedown of VerifTools underscores the pivotal role of interagency and international collaboration.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked alongside U.S. prosecutors and investigators from the Eastern District of Virginia to coordinate legal actions across jurisdictions.
International partners—including the Dutch National Police and the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service—provided critical evidence and enforcement assistance.
Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division, emphasized the public safety implications: “The removal of this marketplace is a major step in protecting the public from fraud and identity theft crime.
Together with our partners, we will continue to target and dismantle the platforms that criminals depend on, no matter where they operate.”
The following table summarizes the key elements of the VerifTools operation and the government’s enforcement action:
| Seized Asset | Description | Estimated Illicit Proceeds |
|---|---|---|
| VerifTools Main Marketplace | Domain selling counterfeit IDs (all 50 U.S. states) | $6.4 million |
| VerifTools Splash Page | Promotional blog site for counterfeit document sales | Included above |
| Counterfeit Documents Example | New Mexico driver’s licenses with watermark features | Purchased in undercover ops |
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell formally announced the seizure on August 28, 2025.
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The post U.S. Government Seizes Dark Web Marketplaces Selling Fake IDs appeared first on Cyber Security News.
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