Dark-Web Forums Resurface Alleged Police Email and Voter Data Offers Around 2024 Election
Summary
DarkOwl reported election-related disinformation and dark-web posts claiming to offer Georgia police emails and voter data. The offers’ authenticity was not established; analysts said exposed personal data could be used for hacking or phishing.
Key points
- DarkOwl observed false claims on Telegram that voting machines were tampered with or the election was being stolen; the article says there was no evidence supporting the claims.
- The FBI reported fabricated videos spoofing its name and insignia with false claims about security threats and election integrity; the actors were unidentified.
- A RAMP4U user claimed to have 2.3 GB of emails belonging to an unnamed Georgia police captain, allegedly dating from 2012 to September 2024. The claim was not verified.
- A resurfaced BreachForums thread offered voter data said to include names, dates of birth, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.
- A forum user claimed to have current voter lists for several states, while another post advertised North Carolina and Ohio voter data, allegedly including phone numbers and driver’s license numbers.
- DarkOwl said the data’s authenticity and eventual use were uncertain, but that exposed personal information could support hacking or phishing.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Election-related misinformation and conspiracy theories, alongside dark-web posts claiming to offer stolen police and voter data.
- Impact
- False claims undermined trust in the election process. Dark-web posts claimed to offer police emails and voter records containing personal information, which the article says could be used for hacking or phishing; actual use is unknown. The article reports no evidence supporting claims that voting machines were hacked or the election was rigged.
People
Donald TrumpThe article says his election-day claims of massive cheating in Philadelphia were echoed by far-right Telegram channels; Philadelphia officials countered the claim.Scott HuntCambria County Commissioner who announced a ballot-printing issue that prevented tabulators from scanning ballots.
Threat Actors
OriginalCrazyOldFartBreachForums user with a reported interest in U.S. voter data who claimed to have current voter lists and posted threads about voter data and leaked databases.PwnstarUser who posted on RAMP4U claiming to have 2.3 GB of emails belonging to an unnamed Georgia police captain and offered the alleged data ahead of the election.
Vendors
Countries
ChinaThis would be consistent with expectations that nation states—particularly Russia, Iran, and China—would ramp up disinformation operations closer to November 5.IranThis would be consistent with expectations that nation states—particularly Russia, Iran, and China—would ramp up disinformation operations closer to November 5.Russiaactors behind the videos have not been identified at this time, researchers believe it is likely that Russia is behind the disinformation.