Fake ID template marketplace operator clamped down

HackRead reports that the U.S. and Bangladesh have partnered to arrest and charge Bangladeshi Zahid Hasan, also known as Zahid Biswas, who has been accused of operating a network of websites peddling templates for U.S. passports and other government documents, which have fueled identity theft incidents worldwide.

Over $2.9 million has been raked in by Hasan from selling digital templates for high-quality counterfeit IDs on the Techtreek[.]com, Egiftcardstorebd[.]com, and Idtempl[.]com sites between 2021 and 2025, according to the U.S. Justice Department, which noted that the templates have been offered for surprisingly low prices. All of the websites have been sequestered as part of the operation, which was spearheaded by the FBI's Billings Division and the Salt Lake City Cyber Task Force.

Each of the eight counts of ID and passport fraud charges filed against Hasan could lead to up to 15 years imprisonment, while the social security fraud charge could result in up to five years jailtime. Hasan could also be compelled to pay up to $250,000 for every count, as well as be subjected to three years of supervised release.