In a surprising turn of events, cybercriminals have begun to market classified government documents via the popular messaging platform Telegram. Among these, a group called Ares Leaks recently boasted about selling sensitive documents from the Russian Federal Security Service (F.S.B.), with prices ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the content.
In November, Ares Leaks showcased snippets of these documents, highlighting a complete F.S.B. counterintelligence report focused on China. It reportedly detailed Russia's worries about Chinese espionage and outlined a covert program analyzing information from the messaging app WeChat.
The authenticity of the leaked document was corroborated by experts familiar with F.S.B. operations, finding no immediate discrepancies. While the New York Times doesn’t purchase stolen documents, it sometimes accepts unreserved materials provided by sources. This incident sheds light on the precarious nature of cybersecurity and international intelligence dynamics, making it clear that the digital world can serve as a risky marketplace for sensitive information.
