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December 28, 2025 - In recent weeks, federal law enforcement has taken some striking action to stop a growing threat: bank account takeover fraud. This is a type of cybercrime where criminals steal your online banking login details and then use them to drain your money. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are not just warning the public - they are actively disrupting the criminal systems that make these scams possible.
At the center of the latest enforcement effort was the seizure of a fraud-linked website and stolen password database used by cybercriminals to carry out account takeovers. Federal agents took down the domain web3adspanels.org, which operated as a backend control panel for a network of fake online bank login sites. That system let criminals collect login credentials from unsuspecting victims and then use those details to break into real bank accounts.
Here's how the scam worked. Criminals bought fake ads on major search engines that looked like real links to banks. When people clicked the ads, they were taken to convincing fake websites that captured their login information. Once the attackers had a person's username and password - sometimes even multi-factor authentication codes - they logged into the real online bank account and moved money out before anyone realized it was happening.
Authorities have already tied this setup to at least 19 confirmed victims in the U.S., including some small businesses. They estimate that cybercriminals tried to steal about 28 million dollars, and successfully got away with around 14.6 million before the site was shut down. Investigators also found login data for thousands of other people, which means many future thefts have likely been prevented.
These actions came just as the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, issued a national alert about the rise in account takeover fraud. Since the beginning of 2025, over 5,100 complaints have been reported to the FBI, with more than 262 million dollars in losses. Criminals are getting more creative, using fake phone calls, emails, and texts to trick people into giving up control of their bank accounts.
So what does this mean for everyday people?
You are now a target of smarter and more convincing scams. Attackers are using trusted tools like search engines and familiar bank logos to make their schemes seem real. Law enforcement is stepping up by taking down the websites and databases that power these fraud networks. That means they are not just warning the public - they are actively trying to shut down the tools criminals rely on. And finally, your own actions are more important than ever. Type your bank's web address directly into your browser instead of clicking on ads. Use strong passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication. If something feels off, report it to your bank and to the FBI through the IC3 website.
In short, understanding the threat is the first step to keeping your money safe. The FBI is working behind the scenes to stop these crimes, but staying alert and protecting your personal information is something you can do every day.
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Fraud and Scams 
