French spy suspected of selling data on darknet

Updated 23 Jan, 2020

Investigators wrapped up their investigation last week into the alleged sales by "Haurus", the code name for the DGSI officer, now 33, who was arrested in September 2018.

His partner and four of his clients, including a private detective, have also been charged in the inquiry.

Investigators became suspicious after France's OCRIEST agency, charged with stopping illegal immigration, noticed offers of unusually detailed personal information and "Gold" quality copies of official documents on the so-called darknet, which offers users total anonymity.

Haurus charged 100 to 300 euros ($110-$330) or more for fake identification cards, driver's licences or birth certificates, as well as bank documents, phone records or GPS coordinates for tracking specific individuals.

"You provide the identity/registration number to copy, or your own requests, and I'll find what you need," read one message from Haurus on the Blackhand v2 forum, according to details of the investigation seen by AFP.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2020

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