But how did hackers get their data onto the platform? Let’s dive into the step-by-step process that was typically used to upload and sell stolen data on Joker Stash.
1. Gaining Access: The Vendor Application Process
Before a hacker could upload anything, they had to become a verified vendor:
? Invitation-only or vetting process: Joker’s Stash did not allow just anyone to become a seller. Hackers needed to:
Provide samples of stolen data
Prove reputation from other forums
Pay a registration or vendor fee (often in Bitcoin)
? Verification by Admins: The site’s admin—known simply as “Joker”—would review the seller and assign a status if approved.
2. Preparing the Data: Formatting Is Everything
Hackers who obtained stolen card data through POS malware, phishing attacks, data breaches, or skimming devices had to organize it in a standardized format:
a. Dumps Format (Track 1/Track 2 Data):
This formatting was necessary so that Joker’s Stash automated system could recognize and categorize the listings properly.
3. Upload Portal: How Data Was Entered
Once approved as a seller, hackers were granted access to a vendor backend panel, which included:
? Encrypted Upload Interface: A secure web panel on the .onion (Tor) version of the site, protected with:
PGP encryption
2FA or password protection
? Batch Upload Tools: Vendors could upload data in bulk, typically via
.txtor.csvfiles. Each line represented a card entry.
There were rules in place to prevent fake listings or duplicates, and violations could get a vendor banned.
4. Automated Verification Categorization
Once uploaded, Joker’s Stash used a backend engine to automatically:
✅ Verify the card format
? Assign a BIN lookup (e.g., card issuer, country)
?️ Tag card types (VISA, MasterCard, Amex, etc.)
? Set a suggested price based on:
Country of origin
Freshness
Quality of the dump
Type (Debit vs Credit, Classic vs Platinum)
5. Listing the Cards for Sale
After processing, the stolen data would appear in the marketplace under specific categories, searchable by:
BIN (Bank Identification Number)
Country
State or city
Card type (debit/credit)
Price range
Buyers could then filter and purchase what they needed—often in bulk.
6. Getting Paid: Commission and Withdrawals
Each time a buyer purchased a card, Joker’s Stash:
Took a commission cut (usually 10–20%)
Credited the seller’s internal balance
Allowed sellers to withdraw earnings in Bitcoin, usually through anonymized wallets
Some high-volume vendors made thousands of dollars a day.
7. Security Measures for Uploaders
To protect themselves, hackers/vendors often used:
? PGP encryption for all communication
?️ VPN + Tor for multiple layers of anonymity
? Rotating wallets and burner emails
? Isolated virtual environments to prevent tracing
These measures ensured they could upload and profit while minimizing the risk of being tracked.
Conclusion: Organized Cybercrime at Its Finest
The process of uploading stolen data to Joker’s Stash was highly structured and efficient. From gaining vendor access to withdrawing Bitcoin profits, every step was optimized to support a large-scale criminal marketplace. This level of professionalism helped Joker’s Stash become the largest carding platform in the world—before its eventual shutdown in 2021.
Understanding how it worked gives cybersecurity experts and law enforcement valuable insight into the next generation of cybercrime platforms and the threats they pose.
