FBI probes dark-web sale of over 153 million driver’s license scans
The FBI has opened an investigation after a dark-web marketplace began selling digital copies of more than 153 million driver’s licenses from the United States and Canada, along with other personal documents.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans field office has launched an official inquiry into a dark-web service that is offering digital scans of over 153 million driver’s licenses, as well as medical and residence cards. The service, dubbed “Nexus,” claims the data were obtained from a breach of a major identity-verification company that serves numerous Fortune 500 firms.
Krebs on Security verified the claim after the cybercriminals provided a scan of the journalist’s own license, and other victims confirmed the authenticity of their documents. The hackers say the source of the scans is a Louisiana-based verification firm whose client list includes Hertz, Target, FedEx, Motorola Solutions, Jack Henry and Caesars Entertainment. They added nearly 400,000 new records in the past 24 hours, suggesting continued access to the source.
Authorities are assessing the scope of the breach, which appears to affect individuals in both the United States and Canada. The investigation follows broader concerns about rising online fraud, which cost Americans an estimated $150 billion last year.