Description

An international crackdown on the cybercrime service LabHost has resulted in the arrest of 37 individuals, including users and developers, across various countries. LabHost, described as one of the largest Phishing-as-a-Service providers, facilitated the theft of personal credentials through phishing pages targeting banks, prominent organizations, and service providers primarily in Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. The operation, named PhishOFF and Nebulae, led by Europol, saw arrests in Australia, the U.K., and other countries, with a total of 70 addresses searched worldwide. LabHost's main domain, lab-host[.]ru, along with its associated phishing sites, has been seized, replacing them with seizure notices. LabHost offered a range of phishing templates, targeting popular brands globally, with subscription packages tailored for North American and international markets. The service provided infrastructure for hosting fraudulent websites, email and SMS content generation, and even allowed customization for specific brands. Phishing pages, distributed via phishing and smishing campaigns, mimicked banks, government entities, and major organizations, tricking users into divulging credentials and two-factor authentication codes. LabHost's integrated campaign management tool, LabRat, facilitated real-time monitoring and control of attacks, enabling the theft of sensitive information. Group-IB identified LabHost in August 2021, noting its extensive infrastructure, including over 40,000 domains. The service has reportedly amassed significant profits, with estimates suggesting £1 million ($1,173,000) in payments from criminal users and the theft of hundreds of thousands of card numbers, PINs, and passwords. The takedown underscores the global nature of cybercrime and the importance of coordinated law enforcement efforts. Europol emphasized the agility and borderless nature of organized criminal networks, highlighting the necessity for sustained international cooperation to combat such threats effectively.