Dutch and U.S. authorities have shut down VerifTools, a major fake ID marketplace that reportedly generated $6.4 million by selling counterfeit documents for as little as $9 in cryptocurrency. The operation involved seizing 23 servers, including two in Amsterdam. Both the FBI and Dutch cybercrime police had been investigating VerifTools, which had an estimated annual turnover of around €1.3 million. Users uploaded a passport photo and provided false information, which operators then used to create fake IDs. Often employed to evade KYC measures, these IDs pose significant risks of fraud. Following the shutdown, the VerifTools URL now redirects to a notice of the seizure. Experts note the advanced technology involved in creating modern fake IDs, including holograms and UV ink, making them difficult to distinguish from real documents. The growth of this illegal market highlights the need for improved identification verification systems, with suggestions of incorporating digital IDs to aid in combating such fraud.

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