US Detective Charged After Allegedly Buying Compromised Credentials

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) charged a Buffalo police detective with purchasing stolen credentials from an underground marketplace.

According to the DoJ’s announcement, 34-year-old Detective Terrance Michael Ciszek, operating under the moniker “DrMonster,” is accused of buying stolen account details through the now-defunct notorious dark web platform Genesis Market.

The Detective’s Descent into the Dark Web

The indictment alleges that Ciszek purchased 11 packages on the infamous market between March 16 and July 29, 2020. The bundles reportedly included 194 sets of compromised account credentials.

At the time, Genesis Market was an invite-only platform where users could acquire stolen browser fingerprints. This enabled threat actors to impersonate legitimate users and conduct illicit activities, including malicious campaigns, theft of funds, and fraud.

Genesis Market—A Hub For Cybercriminal Activity

Genesis Market, launched in 2018, offered customers pre-packaged stolen credentials called “bots.” These packs allowed perpetrators to hijack user sessions without tripping the red flags usually associated with suspicious activities.

Ciszek’s alleged involvement with this dark web marketplace came to light in April 2023, when a joint effort between US, Australian, and European authorities led to a global takedown of Genesis Market.

During the crackdown, law enforcement arrested 120 individuals with ties to the underground marketplace.

Attempted Cover Up Failed

The indictment further alleges that Ciszek did not stop at purchasing stolen credentials. When interrogated by the FBI on April 4, 2023, the detective allegedly lied about his activities on Genesis Market, claiming he made no purchases there. Instead, he suggested his nephew might have made the transactions.

Furthermore, he allegedly owned crypto wallet addresses tied to UniCC, a dark web carding site notorious for selling stolen credit card information to buyers worldwide. Ciszek is accused of not only purchasing stolen credit cards but also recording a video explaining how he kept his identity hidden while conducting these transactions.

The detective now faces serious charges, including possessing unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud and making false statements to a federal agency. If found guilty, Ciszek could face up to 10 years in prison.