New Research Explores the Fate of Data Stolen During Phishing Attacks and Its Consequences

Phishing remains one of the most effective cybercrime methods, and new research reveals what happens after the credentials are stolen.

Once a victim enters login details or banking information on a fraudulent site, the data quickly enters a shadow ecosystem where it is processed, categorized, and resold. Researchers discovered that phishing operators use multiple channels to exfiltrate stolen information.

Traditional email-based collection, where credentials from a fake form are sent via a PHP script to an attacker-controlled inbox, is becoming obsolete. Email services often block bulk deliveries or block access to hosting servers, reducing efficiency.

Instead, an increasing number of cybercriminals now rely on Telegram bots. A Telegram API token is embedded in the phishing script, enabling the instant delivery of stolen data to an operator via automated notifications.

This method offers better performance, anonymity, and real-time access. Some campaigns even use both email and Telegram simultaneously to ensure data redundancy.

More sophisticated operations employ administrative panels similar to commercial “Phishing-as-a-Service” frameworks such as BulletProofLink or Caffeine.

These panels automatically collect user credentials from multiple phishing pages and consolidate them into centralized dashboards.

Attackers can sort data by time, region, or validity, run automatic checks on credit card or login credentials, and export verified results for onward sale. This industrial-grade automation has turned phishing into a scalable cybercrime business.

The Shadow Market for Stolen Data

According to data from Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence, phishing actors primarily target account credentials (88.5%), followed by personal data (9.5%) and banking information (2%).

Once harvested, the information passes through several stages on the dark web before reaching other criminals for monetization.

First, raw dumps containing millions of records are sold on underground forums for as little as $50. Analysts then verify credentials and merge data from multiple sources to create detailed “digital dossiers” of users, sometimes combining passwords from prior breaches with new phishing data.

These dossiers increase the resale value, especially if the accounts remain active. Prices vary significantly across market categories.

On average, bank account credentials sell for around $350, crypto platform accounts for $105, and social media accounts for as little as a few dollars.

High-value targets such as executives, IT administrators, or individuals with access to corporate systems are desirable for targeted phishing or whaling attacks.

Security experts emphasize that compromised data remains dangerous for years, enabling identity theft, corporate espionage, and blackmail.

They recommend using unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and routinely checking for past data breaches to stay protected.

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