FBI and French Authorities Seize Websites Selling Deepfake and Stolen CSAM
Summary
The FBI seized two websites used to sell child sexual exploitation material, including AI-generated deepfakes, while French authorities arrested a suspected administrator. Investigators say some material came from hacked victims’ social media accounts.
Key points
- The FBI seized and shut down NudeLeaksTeens and NLTVIDS, which advertised and sold child sexual exploitation material.
- French authorities arrested an unnamed 25-year-old suspected of being the sites’ primary administrator.
- A seizure warrant directed VeriSign to redirect the websites’ .com domains to FBI-designated name servers.
- Some material was obtained from victims’ social media accounts, and several victims reported their accounts had been hacked.
- The sites advertised stolen and leaked material, including AI-generated deepfakes and collections organized by victim.
- The sites encouraged cryptocurrency payments and sometimes directed users to contact administrators for material.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Law enforcement seizure of two websites used to disseminate and sell child sexual exploitation material, including AI-generated deepfake media; French authorities also arrested a suspected site administrator.
- Impact
- The FBI seized and shut down NudeLeaksTeens and NLTVIDS. The sites advertised and sold CSAM and non-consensual intimate imagery, including material involving victims whose social media accounts were reportedly hacked. French authorities arrested an unnamed 25-year-old suspected of being the sites’ primary administrator.
People
Andrew VenegasPleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and receipt of CSAM; law enforcement said he obtained victims’ material through methods including extortion and unauthorized access to their social media accounts.David McGuireVeriSign spokesperson who said the company executed its responsibilities under the warrant and had no relationship to the websites or administrators.John BamfordArlington County police detective and FBI cybercrime task force member who filed the seizure warrant and described the websites and investigation.Reuben Oswaldo Yeverino RosalesNamed in connection with a collection sold on one of the websites; convicted and sentenced for sexual exploitation of children and cyber stalking.