Nanterre (AFP)

He is suspected of having sold personal information from the police files on the darknet: an investigation aimed at a French ex-agent, known as "Haurus", has just ended, revealing a disturbing system of data traffic .

On various forums of the darknet, the distinct space of the classic internet network where exchanges are completely anonymized, this former agent of the Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI), assigned to an anti-terrorism unit, proposed the sale of confidential information in exchange of a settlement in Bitcoin.

"Either you provide me with the identity / registration to copy, or, with your criteria, I find what you need", could we read on the Blackhand v2 forum used by Haurus, according to elements collected by AFP .

For the equivalent of 100 to 300 euros, Haurus supplied both detailed telephone invoices and geolocation data but also "duplicates", perfect copies of identity documents or driving licenses already in circulation.

They are investigators from the Central Office for the Suppression of Irregular Immigration and the Employment of Untitled Foreigners (Ocriest) who spot the character in June 2018.

The Occtic (fight against cybercrime) is seized in turn and, very quickly, puts forward two hypotheses: that of a hacker having successfully penetrated into the systems of the State or of a member of the police force himself having access to these files.

Haurus doesn't just sell confidential information. According to private messages from the user consulted by the investigators, he also offers "excellent quality" gray cards, birth certificates "fresh out of the town hall" or marriage documents.

- "Starter pack" on promotion -

During the summer of 2018, he diversified his offer on other darkweb forums like "French Deep Web" or "Dark French Anti System". Several users even point out the quality of the services provided by Haurus.

Sale of bank identity statements, false checks, false identity cards and new generation driver's licenses are offered.

The small business is well established and uses classic marketing codes to attract customers, such as a "starter pack", "to embark on the adventure!": A French driving license, an identity card and six checks, all for the equivalent of 500 euros instead of 680.

Haurus ends up being identified. The investigators, after having combed through all the research carried out by this official in the data systems, came to the conclusion that 90% of them were unrelated to his professional activity.

The agent, now 33, was indicted at the end of September 2018, as was his companion, with whom he led a large train, regularly traveling and frequenting large hotels. He was placed under judicial supervision, according to the daily Le Parisien, which revealed the affair.

The investigation was entrusted to the Nanterre prosecution, near Paris, which indicated that it was finished and that it still had to take its requisitions.

Contacted, Haurus' lawyer, Me Yassine Bouzrou, declined to comment.

Four other people were also charged: customers, including a former robber, according to Le Parisien: detained for drug trafficking, he would have bought geolocation information on three people, two of whom were murdered and the other victim of a assassination attempt.

© 2020 AFP