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Dark Web Vendors Market Live Government Emails for $40 to Fuel Fraudulent Data Requests

Researchers caution buyers gain full inbox control through encrypted messaging using cryptocurrency, granting them the ability to issue fake subpoenas or emergency data requests

Overview

  • Dark web listings offer live law enforcement and government email accounts from the US, UK, Germany, India and Brazil, including FBI.gov addresses, for as little as $40.
  • Purchasers receive full SMTP, POP3 and IMAP credentials, giving them immediate authenticated access to compromised inboxes.
  • Sellers actively market criminal use cases such as sending fake subpoenas, submitting emergency data requests and granting backend access to police databases.
  • Abnormal AI attributes the account breaches to credential stuffing, password reuse, infostealer malware and targeted phishing campaigns.
  • Service providers and agencies are urged to adopt stronger authentication, enforce verification protocols for urgent requests and accelerate incident response.