From CarderPlanet to LeakBase: Cybercrime Forums (2000–2025)

Over the past 25 years, the world of cybercrime forums has changed dramatically. Where once platforms like Darkode or Carders.cc dominated, today there exists a complex network of successors, spinoffs, and specialized communities. This article traces how the cybercrime scene evolved, which forums emerged from others, and why almost no major public platforms remain today.

1. The Beginnings (2000–2007): The Birth of Fraud Forums

The early 2000s marked the pioneer era of organized cybercrime on the internet. Two forums stood out prominently:

• ShadowCrew (2002–2004):
  One of the first major international cybercrime forums, focused on credit card fraud, identity theft, and fake document production.
  It was taken down by the FBI in 2004 during "Operation Firewall."

• CarderPlanet (2001–2005):
  An Eastern European platform specializing in carding (credit card fraud). CarderPlanet set the blueprint for future cybercrime forums.

Both forums were eventually dismantled by law enforcement — but their communities and methods lived on, influencing the next generation.

2. The Great Expansion (2007–2015): Darkode, 1337crew, and Carders.cc

After the collapse of the first generation, new forums emerged to fill the void:

• Darkode (2007–2015):
  An elite forum dealing in malware development, botnets, and exploit trading. Darkode was dismantled in 2015 by a major FBI-led operation.

• Carders.cc (ca. 2005–2010):
  Became the go-to place for credit card fraud after CarderPlanet fell.

• 1337crew (ca. 2006–2014):
  One of Germany’s most well-known underground forums, focused on hacking, fraud, and warez. It declined over time due to internal conflict and law enforcement pressure.

During this era, the market became much larger and more international. Forums were often public — usually requiring just a simple registration.

3. Consolidation (2015–2020): RaidForums, Crimenetwork, and Nulled

A new wave of platforms rose, bringing even greater professionalization:

• RaidForums (2015–2022):
  Founded after Darkode’s takedown, it became the world's largest forum for data breaches and database trading. Shut down by the FBI in 2022.

• Crimenetwork.co (CNW) (ca. 2013–2021):
  Germany’s biggest fraud forum, covering fake shops, carding, drops, and document forgery. Shut down in 2021 after a major BKA-FBI operation.

• Nulled.to (2015–2025):
  A massive English-speaking platform for account sales, fraud, and cracking tools. Reached millions of users.

• Cracked.to (2017–2025):
  A related platform focused more heavily on cracking and leaked software.

This era saw forums become highly professional with escrow services, trust systems, and even customer support — but they remained relatively easy to find.

4. The Cracks Begin (2021–2023): Major Shutdowns

Starting in 2021, authorities launched aggressive takedown operations:

• Crimenetwork was dismantled (2021).

• RaidForums was seized by the FBI (2022).

• BreachForums (RaidForums' successor) was destroyed in 2023.

• Nulled.to and Cracked.to were shut down in 2025 during "Operation Talent."

These actions caused a collapse of trust in public forums.
Users fled to encrypted communication networks and invite-only communities, dramatically changing the structure of the cybercrime world.

5. The New Order (2023–2025): Small Circles and High Security

Today, in 2025, only a few notable platforms remain:

• BreachForums (new version): A smaller, stricter successor trying to revive RaidForums' legacy.

• LeakBase: A fast-growing marketplace focused on stealer logs and data leaks.

• Cracked.sh: A replacement for Cracked.to, but now much smaller and hidden.

• XSS.is: A highly active Russian forum specializing in malware and exploits.

• Exploit.in: One of the oldest continuously operating forums for selling exploits and data.

Access is now strictly invite-only or through personal vetting.
Most activity has moved to Telegram channels, Jabber/XMPP chats, and private Darknet forums.