Brazil Tops South America In Dark Web Card Theft

So far in 2023, some 144,000 Brazilian payment cards were stolen and sold on the dark web. This places the country first in South America and fifth globally and for such crimes, a new study has found.

The cards were sold for an average of $8.84 each, and currently, there are about 92,000 Brazilian payment cards illegally available for purchase, according to the research by cybersecurity firm Nord VPN.

The study, conducted in partnership with independent researchers specializing in cybersecurity incidents, evaluated eight major dark web markets to recover details of over 6 million cards.

The researchers noted that out of the credit card units found on the dark web, two out of three cards come with some form of private information such as phone numbers, addresses, or even Social Security numbers, increasing the risk of identity theft. Cybercriminals are estimated to make over $18.5 million in total from selling the stolen information.

In South America, Brazil reported almost 157,000 stolen payment cards, the report noted. Chile, with 30,000 stolen cards, is the second most affected country in the region.

The global picture

The researchers calculated the risks of credit card theft and related cyber attacks for residents of 98 countries. Malta, Australia, and New Zealand topped the risk index, indicating the highest risk, with Brazil placed in the 38th position. On the other end of the spectrum, Russia scored the lowest risk, with China coming in third last.

However, the United States accounts for the highest number of credit card fraud cases globally, the report noted, accounting for over half of the 6 million stolen card records analyzed.

The high prevalence in the U.S. is attributed to the widespread use of cards, large population, and strong economy. Despite this, American cards sell for a low price on the dark web (around $6 per unit). Danish cards are the most valued, with an average price of R$12.