? The Shutdown Announcement
On January 15, 2021, the administrator of JokerStash announced the platform's permanent closure, scheduled for February 15, 2021. The message, posted on Russian-language cybercrime forums, stated:
"Joker goes on a well-deserved retirement. It's time for us to leave forever."
The announcement was accompanied by a warning to users about potential impostors attempting to capitalize on the shutdown.
⚠️ Challenges Leading to the Closure
In the months leading up to the shutdown, Joker's Stash faced several challenges:
Law Enforcement Actions: In December 2020, the FBI and Interpol seized several of the site's blockchain domains. However, the impact was limited as these domains were used as proxies, and the main site remained operational.
Health Issues of the Administrator: The site's administrator, known as "JokerStash," announced in October 2020 that they had contracted COVID-19 and spent a week in the hospital. This affected the site's operations, including inventory replenishments and forum activities.
Decline in Data Quality: Users reported a decrease in the quality of card data, with fewer fresh records being posted. This decline in quality led to customer complaints and a decrease in the site's reputation.
