U.S. authorities have formally charged British national Kai West, 25, known online as ‘IntelBroker’, for leading a major cybercrime campaign that inflicted over $25 million in damages. West was arrested in France earlier this year and now faces multiple charges in the United States.
Prosecutors allege that West, also known as Kyle Northern, orchestrated an extensive hacking operation in collaboration with an online group. Between 2023 and 2025, the group infiltrated systems of over 40 organizations, including a telecom provider, a municipal healthcare service, and an internet service provider. They stole sensitive data—ranging from customer records to health and employment information—and attempted to sell it online for over $2 million.
According to the FBI, West offered stolen data for sale at least 40 times and shared it freely in more than 100 instances, sometimes in exchange for forum credits. In one case, he exploited a misconfigured server to extract telecom data. In another, he sold healthcare records including Social Security numbers and health plan details.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the global impact, stating, “The IntelBroker alias has caused millions in damages to victims worldwide. This arrest shows the FBI’s resolve to hold cybercriminals accountable, no matter where they operate.”
IntelBroker gained notoriety in underground forums like BreachForums, where he initially worked as a ransomware operator before taking over the platform. He is believed to have targeted major companies such as Cisco, AMD, Nokia, Ford, and even Europol.
A report by cybersecurity firm Kela highlighted IntelBroker’s operational skill, noting his blend of technical expertise, anonymity, and focus on exploiting system vulnerabilities—traits that earned him a trusted reputation among cybercriminals.
Darren Guccione, CEO of Keeper Security, said the case underscores how stolen data circulates long after breaches occur. “The IntelBroker case shows how attackers exploit dark web networks for sustained criminal activity through trust, collaboration, and repeated data trafficking,” he noted.
West now faces multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions (up to 5 years), wire fraud (up to 20 years), and accessing protected computers to obtain sensitive information.
This arrest marks a significant victory for international cybercrime enforcement and a warning to others in the digital underworld.
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News Source: ITPro.com
