Law enforcement agencies in the US and the Netherlands have successfully dismantled VerifTools, a major illegal online marketplace for counterfeit IDs, seizing domains, servers, and infrastructure.

The FBI, which launched an investigation in August 2022, uncovered that VerifTools sold fake IDs—including driver’s licenses and passports—for all 50 US states and various foreign countries, accepting cryptocurrency payments starting at just $9.

This marketplace generated approximately $6.4 million in illicit profits for cybercriminals, facilitating identity theft and fraud.

VerifTools allowed users to upload photos and false data to generate and purchase counterfeit IDs capable of bypassing identity verification systems and KYC checks.

Selling forgery tools and fake IDs is considered a serious crime with potential prison sentences of up to six years in the Netherlands.

Authorities estimate that the illegal operation earned at least €1.3 million, highlighting the significant financial impact of the scheme.

During the operation, law enforcement seized two digital domains, a blog, two physical servers, and 21 virtual servers located in Amsterdam for further investigation.

Officials emphasized that shutting down VerifTools marks a crucial step in combating identity fraud and protecting the public from related crimes.

Authorities intend to identify and prosecute the marketplace administrators and users, who could face imprisonment for their involvement.

Dutch authorities confirmed that users could upload passport photos, provide false information, and download fake IDs after payment, effectively bypassing Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.

This coordinated effort underscores ongoing cooperation between US and Dutch law enforcement agencies in fighting cybercrime and identity theft.

The FBI investigation revealed that VerifTools was used to buy stolen identities to access cryptocurrency wallets and commit other crimes, with the platform accepting cryptocurrency payments.