'ID packs' sell for £30 on dark web as data theft rises

British "identity packages", including an ID scan, a selfie, and a dossier of personal data, can be purchased by criminals on the dark web for as little as £30, new research suggests.

- HARRIETTE BOUCHER

As identity theft continues to rise, experts have discovered the sale of national identity documents, driving licences, credit card details and UK "frequent traveller" passports for £2,000.

The information can be exploited in multiple ways and used to apply for credit cards, mortgages, car loans, or to open bank accounts.

AMLTRIX, a group of anti-money laundering experts, analysed 25 active dark web marketplaces in early December last year, uncovering the many ways in which Britons' stolen data is being used.

Its co-founder, Gabrielius Erikas Bilkstys, said: "A full identity pack with ID scan and selfie is now cheap enough and accessible for criminals to buy in bulk, and if that is not enough, the dark web offers other, more reliable, although more expensive options.