FBI Sting Operation Leads to Arrest of UK Hacker Selling Stolen Telecom, Healthcare and Government Data Worth $25M Since 2023

Bitcoin Sting Leads to Arrest of Alleged British Cybercriminal Behind $25M in Data Breaches

A small Bitcoin transaction may have unravelled one of the internet’s most elusive cybercriminals.

Kai West, a 25-year-old British citizen, is accused of operating under the alias "IntelBroker" and orchestrating a string of high-profile data breaches that impacted more than 40 organisations globally, with estimated damages exceeding $25 million.

From Forum Posts to Federal Charges

West was known in the cybercrime underworld for his activity on BreachForums — a notorious marketplace for leaked data and hacking tools.

Prosecutors allege that he ran the platform from August 2024 until his arrest in February 2025.

Using the alias “IntelBroker,” West reportedly sold stolen corporate, healthcare, and government data through the forum and accepted payments in Bitcoin and privacy-focused Monero.

According to the unsealed U.S. indictment, West infiltrated a wide range of organisations, including a major U.S. telecom firm, a healthcare provider, and an internet services company.

In one case, he allegedly offered access to a database containing thousands of patient records, complete with Social Security numbers and health plan information.

Digital Trail Leads to Real Identity

The breakthrough came in early 2023 when an undercover law enforcement officer contacted IntelBroker and offered $250 in Bitcoin for stolen data.

The transaction, though small, allowed authorities to trace the payment to a Coinbase wallet registered under West’s real name.

Further investigation into his Gmail account linked him directly to both his online alias and the stolen information he was selling.

The FBI also uncovered IP address overlaps between his personal logins and those used to access BreachForums, sealing the connection between West and IntelBroker.

Court documents state he posted 158 threads offering stolen data — at least 41 of them had specific asking prices, with a combined total of over $2.4 million.

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A Shadow Network With Real-World Impact

West is believed to have conspired with members of a cybercrime collective known as CyberN***ers.

U.S. officials say the group helped facilitate mass theft of sensitive information and that West alone disseminated stolen data more than 100 times between 2023 and 2025.

Source: X

In addition to selling data, he allegedly gave away some datasets for free to boost his reputation in criminal circles.

He was arrested in France earlier this year and now faces extradition to the United States.

If convicted, West could face up to 20 years in prison for charges including wire fraud, computer intrusion, and conspiracy.

FBI Tactics Reflect Evolution In Crypto Crime Enforcement

Ari Redbord, global head of policy at blockchain forensics firm TRM Labs, remarked,

"The arrest of IntelBroker shows just how far law enforcement has come in the crypto space. The FBI used a $250 Bitcoin transaction to help identify and apprehend a hacker who had long operated in the shadows."

Redbord added that the case demonstrates how even small blockchain transactions can leave a lasting digital trail.

“The ability to track even small payments on a public ledger… gave agents the thread they needed to follow, linking wallet addresses, email accounts, and user identities.”

The Real Cost Of Hacking Culture

This case is not just about one hacker—it reflects the wider ecosystem enabling cybercrime to thrive.

Platforms like BreachForums have evolved into digital bazaars for stolen data, and authorities are still playing catch-up.

While West’s arrest is a milestone, the network he was part of extends beyond any one individual.

Should Anonymity Still Be A Shield In Cybercrime?

The IntelBroker case forces a difficult question: when privacy tools and decentralised currencies are used to facilitate harm, where should the line be drawn between digital rights and digital accountability?

If a $250 traceable transaction can bring down a million-dollar operation, it may be time to rethink how much longer anonymity can serve as a defence—both for the guilty and the innocent.