Flashpoint analysts told The Hacker News that BreachForums was shut down after administrator baphomet determined the forum’s infrastructure was no longer safe following the arrest of its founder.

Why did BreachForums shut down in March 2023?

BreachForums shut down after administrator baphomet concluded the forum’s infrastructure was likely compromised following the arrest of its founder, Pompompurin, and posed unacceptable long-term risk.

What role did BreachForums play in the cybercrime ecosystem?

BreachForums functioned as a major English-language marketplace for buying and selling compromised datasets and stolen credentials, emerging as the primary successor to Raid Forums after its 2022 seizure.

How does Flashpoint track BreachForums and its successors?

Flashpoint analysts monitor illicit forums through sustained underground visibility, tracking administrator communications, law enforcement actions, and migration patterns across replacement forums and Telegram channels. Ongoing analysis is maintained in Flashpoint’s BreachForums intelligence hub.