A notorious British hacker, identified as 25-year-old Kai West, known by the online moniker “IntelBroker,” has been formally indicted in the United States for a sprawling cybercrime operation that allegedly caused over $25 million in damages. US authorities are now actively pursuing West’s extradition from France, where he was arrested in February 2025.
The indictment, unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, details a years-long campaign of computer intrusions and wire fraud. West, operating as IntelBroker, is accused of breaching more than 40 organizations globally, including telecommunications companies, healthcare providers, internet service providers, and even government contractors. The stolen data, ranging from customer information and health records to proprietary corporate data and even sensitive government documents, was then allegedly sold on underground marketplaces, primarily BreachForums, where West also served as an administrator.
According to prosecutors, West and his co-conspirators sought to profit significantly from their illicit activities, with estimates suggesting they aimed to collect at least $2 million from data sales. The FBI’s investigation, which reportedly involved undercover purchases of stolen data, cryptocurrency tracing, and forensic analysis, ultimately linked the digital trail back to West through his registered cryptocurrency accounts and associated online activities.
IntelBroker gained significant notoriety for a series of high-profile breaches, including claims of targeting UScellular, DC Health Link (which exposed data of US Congress members), General Electric, AMD, and even Europol. The indictment highlights 158 instances where West offered stolen data for sale or distribution on cybercrime forums between January 2023 and his arrest.
West faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, each carrying substantial prison sentences of up to 20 years. His arrest in France, alongside other suspected administrators of BreachForums, marks a significant victory for international law enforcement in the ongoing battle against organized cybercrime.
The push for West’s extradition underscores the US Department of Justice’s commitment to pursuing cybercriminals across borders and bringing them to justice. This case is expected to serve as a crucial precedent in cross-border cyber enforcement, emphasizing the global reach of US law and its dedication to combating sophisticated hacking operations that inflict substantial economic and security damage worldwide. The legal proceedings surrounding West’s extradition and subsequent trial will be closely watched by cybersecurity experts and the international community alike.
