Site catering to online criminals has been seized by the FBI

In a significant move against cybercrime, the FBI has taken control of RAMP, a notorious online marketplace that primarily served Russian-speaking criminals and marketed itself as the 'only place ransomware allowed.' This operation reflects the agency's increasing efforts to address the escalating threat posed by ransomware attacks on vital infrastructure and organizations globally. Visitors attempting to access RAMP's dark web and clear web sites on Wednesday were met with a stark announcement: the FBI had seized the domains. This development follows a trend of crackdowns on similar online crime forums, such as XSS, which was dismantled last year with the arrest of its leader by Europol. With the decline of such platforms, RAMP emerged as one of the last significant hubs for those engaged in buying, selling, or trading ransomware and other cyber threats. A prominent banner on the seized sites displayed the seals of the FBI and the Justice Department, declaring, 'The Federal Bureau of Investigation has seized RAMP.' This action was executed in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Department of Justice. Founded in 2012 and rebranded in 2021, RAMP catered to a diverse audience, including Russian, Chinese, and English-speaking users. The platform boasted over 14,000 registered members, who either passed through a rigorous vetting process or paid a $500 fee for anonymity. RAMP facilitated discussions on cyberattacks, offered tutorials, and hosted a marketplace for malware. Its chief administrator estimated that in 2024, the forum generated approximately $250,000 in revenue annually.