Overview

• On June 25, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed a four-count indictment accusing 25-year-old Kai West of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud.
• Prosecutors say West, under the moniker IntelBroker, led a data-broker network on BreachForums that trafficked customer lists, marketing files and patient health records, driving over $25 million in victim losses.
• Investigators traced bitcoin transactions and an undercover purchase of stolen credentials to link West to the IntelBroker identity.
• After his February arrest in France, West now faces U.S. extradition and potential prison terms of up to 20 years per wire fraud count.
• In a parallel operation, French authorities detained four individuals believed to have administered BreachForums, aiming to dismantle the cybercrime forum.