On the surface, Darkmarket.ws appeared much like any other Internet platform used by fraudsters to trade their wares. Members traded in just about everything that could turn a dishonest buck, ranging from specialized hardware to personal data, electronic banking details, credit card information and fake IDs.

The difference with Darkmarket, however, that it was being operated by the man; the man in this case being one J. Keith Mularski, a senior cybercrime agent for the FBI who is based with the National Cyber Forensics Training Alliance in Pittsburgh and who went by the name of Master Splynter to penetrate the criminal network. With Darkmarket now shuttered, we can expect the arrests to start any day now. Don’t drop the soap boys.

Check out Wired for more detail on the story. [Südwestrundfunk via Wired]