Dutch police and the FBI have busted VerifTools, one of the biggest online markets for fake crypto ID documents. In the Netherlands, cybercrime police seized two physical servers in Amsterdam and took over 21 virtual servers. At the same time, the FBI shut down two domains and a promotional blog connected to the site. As reported, the website sold counterfeit documents for as little as $9, with payments made in cryptocurrency. VerifTools Busted as Global Hub for Fake Crypto ID Worth Millions VerifTools was designed to look like a normal online service. Customers had to upload a passport-style photo and share their personal details. The operators then used this information to make fake IDs, such as passports and driving licenses. FBI agents tested the system by ordering fake New Mexico driving licenses, which were successfully delivered after paying in crypto. The investigation showed how profitable the marketplace had become. The FBI estimated that VerifTools made around $6.4 million over its lifetime. Reportedly , Dutch police calculated that it brought in about €1.3 million, worth about $1.5 million, every year. This made it one of the most active providers of fake IDs worldwide. Crypto Fake IDs Are Becoming More Sophisticated Experts warned that the fake ID industry has grown quickly in recent years. Kartik Venkatesh, global head of innovation at identity technology company GBG, explained that counterfeit documents today are made with industrial-level machinery. Unlike the basic fakes of past decades, modern counterfeit IDs are almost identical to real ones. This makes them extremely difficult to detect without specialized equipment. Authorities said fake IDs are often used by criminals to bypass “Know Your Customer” (KYC) checks, which banks, financial firms, and crypto exchanges must follow by law. In the UK, police in Wales found the VerifTools website during a fraud case. This shows that the platform was active across countries and helped fraudsters worldwide. The rising demand for fake IDs is fueling the problem. Officials also warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is now being used to make fake IDs look more real. Some of these forgeries are AI-generated, making them harder to spot and quicker to produce in large numbers. Stronger Digital ID Checks Seen as Key to Fighting Fake IDs Experts say stronger ID verification tools are crucial to stopping this trend. Modern systems can combine document scanning, facial recognition, liveness detection, and behavior checks. These steps can catch errors that humans would likely miss. Digital IDs may also help since they are protected by cryptography and can be confirmed instantly with issuing authorities, making them much harder to fake. However, experts warned that digital IDs also carry new risks. Criminals might try to build fake digital identities, use deepfake biometrics, or steal digital credentials. Officials stressed the need for balance and said that only layered checks that can adapt to new threats will work against fraudsters. The post Crypto Fake ID Marketplace Taken Down in International Operation appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .
