A startling new insight into the cybercrime underworld shows how stolen personal data is openly priced and sold online. From hacked social media profiles to verified cryptocurrency accounts, your digital identity may be worth far less—or far more—than you imagined.
Breakdown of Dark Web Prices
The data, neatly categorized by account type and value, reveals just how little some of our most sensitive credentials can cost to cybercriminals:
- Meta accounts (Facebook, Instagram): $0.50 – $1(₹40 – ₹83)
- Streaming service credentials (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, etc.): $0.90 – $2(₹75 – ₹165)
- PayPal accounts without balance: $1 – $2(₹83 – ₹165)
- OnlyFans accounts with funds/linked credit card: $1.50 – $10(₹125 – ₹830)
- PayPal with balance/personal info: $80 – $1,200(₹6,640 – ₹99,600)
- Verified crypto accounts (Kraken, Binance, Coinbase): $400 – $600(₹33,200 – ₹49,800)
- Verified high-value social accounts (Meta, TikTok): $1,000+ (₹83,000+)
The spectrum shows just how organized and segmented the cybercrime economy has become. Verified and fund-linked accounts fetch a higher price, reflecting the ease with which they can be monetized.
The Role of Verification and Linked Data
What drives up the price? According to cybersecurity experts, the verification status and linked financial data play crucial roles. A barebones PayPal account might cost just $1(₹83), but an account with attached identity documents or stored funds could fetch upwards of $1,200(₹6,640). Similarly, verified cryptocurrency accounts are goldmines due to their potential for anonymous transfers and large fund movements.
“Once an attacker gains access to a verified wallet or high-follower social profile, it opens the door for scams, impersonation, or direct financial theft,” said an analyst.
Why It Matters: The Real-World Risk
This pricing list isn’t just a wake-up call—it’s a cybercrime blueprint. Victims often don’t realize their data has been compromised until it’s too late. A hacked Instagram account might seem minor, but it can be used for identity theft, phishing scams, and even sextortion in extreme cases.
For businesses, employee credentials listed for mere dollars can lead to corporate breaches, ransomware attacks, and regulatory fines.
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Protecting Your Digital Footprint
The report’s takeaway is clear: multi-factor authentication, strong password hygiene, and regular monitoring are essential for protecting personal and corporate digital assets.
“If something is free to use—like a social media platform—then you, or more precisely your data, are the product”.