A British man has been accused by US authorities of being a notorious hacker who led an international cybercrime spree that caused $25 million of damage to dozens of victims.
Kai West, 25, allegedly stole data from more than 40 companies from 2022 to 2025 and tried to sell them on the dark web for more than $2 million, according to a US indictment.
An FBI investigation has tied West to the alias IntelBroker, which security researchers said was a key player on a prominent criminal forum selling stolen data.
• Why teenage hackers pose more danger than ever
The Briton was identified in an FBI sting after an agent bought some stolen data using Bitcoin and traced the cryptocurrency back to West, who used his driving licence to register for a connected bank account, it is alleged.
The agent says that he also identified West by connecting YouTube videos he watched with posts on an internet forum.
US officials are seeking West’s extradition from France, where he was arrested in February.
“Kai West, an alleged serial hacker, is charged for a nefarious, years-long scheme to steal victim’s data and sell it for millions in illicit funds, causing more than $25 million in damages worldwide,” said Christopher G Raia, the FBI’s assistant director in charge of the New York Field Office.
“Today’s announcement should serve as a warning to anyone thinking they can hide behind a keyboard and commit cybercrime with impunity; the FBI will find and hold you accountable no matter where you are.”
• How to protect yourself from high street hackers
West also appeared to study cybersecurity as the FBI obtained a certificate of student status for the 2023-24 academic year from his email account. The Briton faces four charges, two of which carry a 20-year sentence and two that carry a five-year sentence.
The indictment claims West led a group of 32 hackers called The Boys, and his calling card was an image of a soldier with his finger to his lips. He also used the alias Kyle Northern and a LinkedIn account in that name claims that the owner worked at the National Crime Agency for two months in 2019, according to the FBI.
The NCA said that “this individual has never been affiliated to, or employed by, the National Crime
Agency”.
A Facebook page in the name of Kyle Northern has pictures that bear a resemblance to West’s driving licence. The account owner claims to have been born in Basingstoke, lives in Winchester and is connected to the HackerOne cybersecurity company, which has been approached for comment.
• Weekly cyberattacks on UK by pro-Russian and pro-Palestinian hackers
Rebecca Taylor, knowledge manager at Sophos Counter Threat Unit, said that IntelBroker has been linked to numerous high-profile breaches, including the theft of data belonging to Europol, Cisco, Apple, Deloitte and several government agencies.
The US indictment says that victims included a healthcare provider, an internet service provider and a telecoms company.
The security researcher said: “IntelBroker has been active since at least 2021, operating primarily on BreachForums, one of the most prominent English-language cybercriminal forums used to trade stolen data, malware and exploits. From August 2024 through January 2025, IntelBroker served as the forum’s administrator, before stepping down.
“At the Counter Threat Unit, we have documented IntelBroker’s involvement in approximately 158 data sales and breach announcements since January 2023. Their attacks took place across a broad geography, targeting industries that possess high-value data, particularly in the United States, India and several European nations.”
West is the latest Briton to be charged by US authorities with cybercrime. Tyler Buchanan, a Scot, was extradited to the US for allegedly hacking into more than 45 companies around the world and stealing millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. He is alleged to be part of the Scattered Spider group.
The French authorities also announced this week that several members of the notorious hacking group named ShinyHunters, some of whom were also involved with BreachForums, have been arrested.
Click Here For The Original Source.
