Rochester man pleads guilty after using illicit market to buy stolen data

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – A Rochester man has plead guilty to possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud after using an illicit online market to purchase stolen data.

Since August of 2018, the FBI has been investigating an illicit online market known as Genesis Market "whose operators compile stolen data such as computer and mobile identifiers, email addresses, usernames, and passwords from malware infected computers around the globe and package it for sale on the market."

Purchases made through Genesis Market are conducted using virtual currency such as Bitcoin.

Between November 2019 and February 2021, investigators say 23-year-old Brandon Hall deposited around $224.50 worth of Bitcoin into a Genesis account. Hall used the funds to purchase 12 packages containing around 1,146 devices.

Hall will face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for January 16.