Passports of Citizens Leaked on the Dark Web: Unmasking the Underworld Trade

The dark web, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, harbors a clandestine marketplace where stolen passport information is bought and sold. Let's delve into this shadowy realm:

1. The Dark Web Passport Market

Passport data is peddled in three distinct formats on the dark web:

• Digital Scans: These go for as low as $5 to $65. They provide a glimpse into the passport's details.
• Templates: For $29 to $89, criminals acquire templates to forge finished passports.
• Physical Passports: The ultimate prize, these can fetch up to $5,000.

2. The Value of Stolen Passport Information

Modern entry procedures in most countries can detect forgeries. However, some nations lack robust scanning systems.

Even low-cost phony passports can slip through less-sophisticated ports, granting criminals entry.

A professionally forged passport, complete with stolen or leaked information, costs around $1,000 to $2,000. These include additional elements to make them functional globally.

3. The Spectrum of Forgeries

Basic Versions: These pass the "eyeball test" at less-vigilant checkpoints. They cost hundreds of dollars.

Sophisticated Forgeries: Darkweb researchers have encountered high-end passports priced at $3,000 or more. These may even boast diplomatic ties.

4. Breaches and Vulnerabilities

Breaches involving full scans of passports yield more information than those with just passport numbers.

Criminals need a minimum set of details: passport number, name, date of issue, date of expiry, and sometimes the scan bar at the bottom.

The theft of passport numbers, like the Marriott breach, raises concerns about fraud and illicit travel.

5. The Global Impact

India, too, faced a massive breach, with personally identifiable information, including passport details, surfacing on the dark web.

British passports are also available within minutes on the dark web.

Sovereign states grapple with balancing security and openness, refusing entry to citizens of certain countries.

In this murky underworld, passports become commodities, wielded by criminals seeking anonymity, mobility, and access. As we navigate this digital age, vigilance and robust security measures are our best defense against the shadowy forces lurking in the dark web.