FBI Seizes RAMP Darknet Ransomware Marketplace, Cutting Off a Key Cybercrime Hub

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FBI Shuts Down ‘Ransomware Allowed’ Online Marketplace

Washington D.C. – Teh Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken down RAMP, a notorious online forum widely known as a central hub for Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) operations and the trading of malicious cyber tools.The action, coordinated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the Department of Justice’s Computer crime and Intellectual Property Section, marks a significant blow against the growing global threat of cybercrime.

What Was RAMP?

RAMP, operating as 2012 and rebranded in 2021, distinguished itself as one of the few online criminal marketplaces openly advertising its support for Ransomware.The platform catered to a multilingual audience, including russian, Chinese, and English speakers. Access wasn’t open to all; potential users faced rigorous vetting or a $500 fee for anonymous participation,highlighting the exclusive and serious nature of the forum.

The site fostered a community of over 14,000 registered users, providing discussion forums, instructional materials on launching cyberattacks, and a marketplace for acquiring malware and related services.Estimates suggest the forum generated an annual revenue of $250,000 for its administrators as of 2024. This takedown follows similar operations against other dark web forums like XSS, whose leader was arrested in 2025 by Europol, leaving RAMP as a primary destination for cybercriminals.

Rising Threat of Ransomware

The dismantling of RAMP arrives amid an escalating Ransomware crisis, with attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated and damaging. According to a recent report by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Ransomware attacks increased by 41% in the frist half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. These attacks target critical infrastructure, businesses, and individuals, causing significant financial losses and disruption.

Ransomware Statistics – Recent Trends

Metric	2023	2024	2025 (H1)
Total Ransomware Attacks Reported	1,545	2,172	1,350
Average Ransom Demand	$500,000	$750,000	$900,000
Average Downtime (Days)	21	28	32

Source: CISA & Chainalysis Reports

This surge in attacks isn’t just about financial gain; it’s increasingly tied to geopolitical motives and state-sponsored actors. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are actively working to disrupt these criminal networks and bring perpetrators to justice. Disrupting forums like RAMP is a critical step in that effort, but its just one piece of a much larger puzzle.

what’s Next in the Fight Against

What was RAMP and why is its seizure critically important in the fight against ransomware?

FBI Seizes RAMP Darknet Ransomware Marketplace,Cutting Off a Key Cybercrime Hub

The FBI has dealt a significant blow to the cybercrime underworld with the seizure of RAMP,a prominent dark web marketplace notorious for facilitating ransomware operations. The takedown, announced January 28, 2026, targets a platform that openly advertised itself as the “only place ransomware allowed,” signaling a heightened focus on disrupting the business of ransomware as a service (RaaS).

What Was RAMP?

RAMP (Russian Anonymous Marketplace) operated as a largely Russian-language forum and marketplace accessible via both the dark web and, surprisingly, clear web sites. This dual accessibility made it relatively easy for both seasoned cybercriminals and newcomers to connect,trade malicious tools,and coordinate attacks.

Here’s a breakdown of RAMP’s key features:

* Ransomware focus: Unlike many other darknet marketplaces dealing in stolen data or drugs, RAMP specifically catered to the ransomware ecosystem.

* RaaS Facilitation: The platform enabled affiliates to connect with ransomware developers, purchase ransomware tools, and negotiate terms for attacks.

* Escrow Services: RAMP reportedly offered escrow services to manage payments between ransomware operators and their affiliates, reducing the risk of fraud.

* Community Forum: A robust forum allowed users to share knowledge, discuss techniques, and recruit new members.

* Clear & Dark Web presence: The existence of clear web sites alongside dark web infrastructure lowered the barrier to entry for potential criminals.

The FBI’s Operation and Its Impact

The FBI’s seizure of RAMP’s infrastructure represents a major disruption to the ransomware supply chain. By taking down the marketplace, law enforcement aims to:

1. Disrupt Ransomware Operations: Cut off access to tools and services needed to launch attacks.
2. Identify and Prosecute Criminals: Gather intelligence on users of the platform to identify and prosecute ransomware operators and affiliates.
3. Deter Future Activity: Send a strong message to the cybercrime community that such platforms will not be tolerated.

the operation involved seizing both the dark web and clear web components of RAMP, demonstrating the FBI’s ability to target criminal infrastructure irrespective of its location on the internet. This action builds on previous efforts to dismantle other significant darknet marketplaces, such as Hydra and AlphaBay.

Understanding the Ransomware ecosystem

The takedown of RAMP highlights the complex structure of the modern ransomware ecosystem. It’s rarely a single actor responsible for an attack. Instead, it’s often a network of individuals with specialized roles:

* Ransomware Developers: Create and maintain the ransomware code.

* Affiliates: Deploy the ransomware against targets.

* Initial Access Brokers: Gain initial access to victim networks.

* Money Launderers: Convert ransom payments into usable funds.

* Negotiators: Communicate with victims and manage ransom demands.

Marketplaces like RAMP served as central hubs for these actors to connect and collaborate, making them prime targets for law enforcement.

Real-World Implications & Recent Trends

The rise of RaaS has dramatically lowered the barrier to entry for cybercriminals. Individuals with limited technical skills can now launch complex ransomware attacks by simply purchasing a ransomware kit and targeting vulnerable organizations. This has led to a surge in ransomware incidents across various sectors,including healthcare,education,and critical infrastructure.

Recent trends in ransomware attacks include:

* Double Extortion: Stealing sensitive data before encrypting systems and threatening to leak it if the ransom isn’t paid.

* Triple Extortion: Adding Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to the mix, disrupting victim operations even if they restore from backups.

* Targeting of Managed Service Providers (MSPs): Compromising MSPs to gain access to multiple client networks simultaneously.

Protecting Yourself and Your Organization

While the takedown of RAMP is a positive step, it’s crucial to understand that the threat of ransomware remains high. Here are some practical steps to protect yourself and your organization:

* Regular Backups: Maintain offline, regularly tested backups of critical data.

* Strong Passwords & MFA: Implement strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts.

* Security Awareness training: Educate employees about phishing scams and other social engineering tactics.

* Patch management: Keep software and operating systems up to date with the latest security patches.

* Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Deploy EDR solutions to detect and respond to malicious activity on endpoints.

* Network Segmentation: Isolate critical systems and data from the rest of the network.

* Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly test an incident response plan to prepare for a potential ransomware attack.

The dismantling of RAMP is a clear indication that law enforcement is actively working to disrupt the ransomware ecosystem. However, vigilance and proactive security measures are essential to mitigate the ongoing threat.