{"id":22931,"date":"2026-02-27T15:16:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T06:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=22931"},"modified":"2026-02-27T15:16:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T06:16:24","slug":"us-nabs-man-behind-onlyfake-which-trafficked-in-ai-powered-digital-pretend-ids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=22931","title":{"rendered":"US Nabs Man Behind OnlyFake, Which Trafficked in AI-Powered Digital Pretend IDs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article\">\n<p>The US has nabbed the person behind an underground web site that used AI to assist prospects create pretend, however realistic-looking digital variations of presidency IDs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A 27-year-old Ukrainian nationwide named Yurii Nazarenko pleaded responsible to fraud expenses for operating the &#8220;OnlyFake&#8221; web site, the Justice Division (DOJ) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-sdny\/pr\/creator-onlyfake-charged-and-pleads-guilty-selling-more-10000-digital-fake\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"(Opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noopener\">introduced<\/a> immediately. He produced and offered over 10,000 pretend IDs, incomes a whole bunch of hundreds of {dollars} in cryptocurrency.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor instance, OnlyFake allowed its prospects to generate pretend US identification paperwork, together with digital variations of driver\u2019s licenses for every of the fifty states, United States passports, United States passport playing cards, and Social Safety playing cards,\u201d the DOJ says.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/i.pcmag.com\/imagery\/articles\/04kaY1EQuRGGrnufrMFWORs-4.png\" data-lazy-sized=\"\" alt=\"fake IDs \" data-image-path=\"articles\/04kaY1EQuRGGrnufrMFWORs-4.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n    <small>(Credit score: DOJ)<\/small>\n<\/p>\n<p>The positioning helped individuals bypass methods that require digital copies of government-issued IDs to confirm identification. Banks and cryptocurrency exchanges, for instance, require ID to open new accounts; OnlyFake IDs let individuals do this whereas concealing their actual identities to launder cash.<\/p>\n<p>On OnlyFake, patrons might &#8220;customise the kind of Digital Pretend ID they needed, together with whether or not the Digital Pretend ID ought to look like a scan of an actual identification doc, or look like {a photograph} of an actual identification doc taken on a floor like a desk,&#8221; the DOJ says.<\/p>\n<p>Based on a beforehand sealed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/document\/1004515480\/aaa111\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"(Opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noopener\">indictment<\/a>, Nazarenko ran OnlyFake since no less than 2021, and the location additionally produced digital passports for 56 different international locations outdoors the US. He was indicted in November 2024 and arrested nearly a yr later. <\/p>\n<p>The indictment suggests investigators had been monitoring the crypto funds; it says Nazarenko transferred cash created from OnlyFake via a number of crypto wallets to hide the place it got here from. In August 2024, in the meantime, OnlyFake buyer assist suggested an undercover legislation enforcement agent on how one can use a pretend ID to bypass crypto trade registration necessities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"py-4\" data-parent-group=\"related-stories\">\n<div class=\"mx-0 border border-b border-l-0 border-r-0 border-t border-gray-300 py-4 md:ml-8 md:mr-24\">\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_53 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\" role=\"button\"><label for=\"item-69ec2b4d6ada5\" ><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input aria-label=\"Toggle\" aria-label=\"item-69ec2b4d6ada5\"  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-69ec2b4d6ada5\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=22931\/#Really_useful_by_Our_Editors\" title=\"Really useful by Our Editors\">Really useful by Our Editors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=22931\/#Keep_Protected_With_the_Newest_Safety_Information_and_Updates\" title=\"\n                                            Keep Protected With the Newest Safety Information and Updates \n                                    \">\n                                            Keep Protected With the Newest Safety Information and Updates \n                                    <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=22931\/#About_Our_Skilled\" title=\"About Our Skilled\">About Our Skilled<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"font-stretch-ultra-condensed mb-2 text-lg font-semibold uppercase\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Really_useful_by_Our_Editors\"><\/span>Really useful by Our Editors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In February 2024, 404Media <a href=\"https:\/\/www.404media.co\/inside-the-underground-site-where-ai-neural-networks-churns-out-fake-ids-onlyfake\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"(Opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noopener\">lined<\/a> OnlyFake and located the location might create \u201ca extremely convincing California driver&#8217;s license, full with no matter arbitrary identify, biographical data, tackle, expiration date, and signature we needed.\u201d\u00a0OnlyFake created a photograph of the pretend driver\u2019s license that appeared to have been snapped with a smartphone digicam, and the ensuing picture efficiently handed verification on the cryptocurrency trade OKX.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/i.pcmag.com\/imagery\/articles\/04kaY1EQuRGGrnufrMFWORs-3.png\" data-lazy-sized=\"\" alt=\"The onlyfake\" data-image-path=\"articles\/04kaY1EQuRGGrnufrMFWORs-3.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n    <small>(Credit score: Web Archive\/OnlyFake)<\/small>\n<\/p>\n<p>OnlyFake highlights how generative AI can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/news\/fbi-your-social-media-pics-videos-fuel-ai-scams-so-consider-going-private\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">gas<\/a> cybercrime; different hackers have been utilizing AI voice cloning and AI-generated movies to impersonate individuals or phish potential victims.<\/p>\n<p>The case towards Nazarenko is among the many first-ever expenses for digital pretend IDs, the DOJ says. He faces as much as 15 years in jail and can forfeit $1.2 million in OnlyFake proceeds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"safari:invisible chrome:invisible\">\n<div class=\"ziff-component relative m-auto my-12 border-b border-t border-black bg-white py-4 md:my-16 md:p-6 md:px-4\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Newsletter Sign-Up\" x-data=\"window.newsletters()\" x-init=\"initNewsletter({\" id=\"\" experts=\"\" keep=\"\" you=\"\" safe=\"\" from=\"\" malware=\"\" viruses=\"\" hacks=\"\" and=\"\" privacy=\"\" exploits=\"\" by=\"\" keeping=\"\" current=\"\" on=\"\" the=\"\" latest=\"\" vulnerabilities.=\"\" security=\"\" watch=\"\" with=\"\" news=\"\" updates=\"\" newsletter=\"\" image=\"\" pcmag=\"\" up=\"\" for=\"\" our=\"\" securitywatch=\"\" most=\"\" important=\"\" stories=\"\" delivered=\"\" right=\"\" to=\"\" your=\"\" inbox.=\"\" x-show=\"showEmailSignUp()\" x-intersect.once=\"window.trackGAImpressionEvents(\" pcmag-on-site-newsletter-block=\"\">\n            <!-- Envelope image absolute top right for desktop --><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"opacity-20 absolute right-0 top-0 z-0 hidden md:block\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/images\/newsletter-envelope.svg\" alt=\"Newsletter Icon\" style=\"max-width:220px; max-height:140px; pointer-events:none;\"\/><br \/>\n            <!-- Envelope image absolute top right for mobile --><\/p>\n<div class=\"absolute right-0 top-0 h-[134px] w-[134px] overflow-hidden md:hidden\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"opacity-20 h-full w-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/images\/newsletter-envelope.svg\" alt=\"Newsletter Icon\"\/>\n            <\/div>\n<p>            <!-- Tagline --><\/p>\n<p>\n                <span class=\"roboto-flex font-stretch-condensed text-[16px] font-bold text-black\">Get Our Finest Tales!<\/span>\n            <\/p>\n<div x-show=\"!isSuccess\">\n                <!-- Title text --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"relative z-10 mb-5 font-barlow-condensed text-3xl font-medium leading-[36px] text-red-400 md:text-4xl md:text-[36px] md:leading-compact\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keep_Protected_With_the_Newest_Safety_Information_and_Updates\"><\/span>\n                                            Keep Protected With the Newest Safety Information and Updates<br \/>\n                                    <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>                <!-- Main content --><\/p>\n<div class=\"md:flex md:flex-row md:gap-6\">\n                    <!-- Top section with image and context - flex row on mobile --><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-5 flex flex-row gap-3 md:mb-0 md:mb-4 md:block md:w-1\/3\">\n                        <!-- Title section with envelope background --><\/p>\n<div class=\"relative w-1\/3 md:w-auto\">\n<p>                            <!-- Image --><br \/>\n                                                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"h-auto w-full rounded-md object-cover md:rounded-l-md\" src=\"https:\/\/i.pcmag.com\/imagery\/newsletters\/17707707-contextual.fit_lpad.size_250x140.v1750711966.png\" alt=\"SecurityWatch Newsletter Image\"\/>\n                                                    <\/div>\n<p>                        <!-- Contextual body\/deck on MOBILE - next to image --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-2\/3 md:hidden\">\n<div class=\"font-barlow-semi-condensed text-sm font-normal leading-tight md:ml-1\">\n<p>Join our <strong>SecurityWatch<\/strong> publication for our most essential privateness and safety tales delivered proper to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                    <!-- Form section --><\/p>\n<div class=\"md:mt-0 md:w-[532px]\" x-ref=\"emailForm\" x-on:form-onsuccess.window=\"isSuccess = $event.detail.value\" tracking-source=\"article\">\n                        <!-- Contextual body\/deck for DESKTOP ONLY --><\/p>\n<div class=\"hidden md:block\">\n<div class=\"mb-4 ml-1 font-barlow-semi-condensed text-sm font-normal leading-tight\">\n<p>Join our <strong>SecurityWatch<\/strong> publication for our most essential privateness and safety tales delivered proper to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"roboto-flex mt-2 text-xs font-normal leading-tight text-black md:whitespace-nowrap\">\n                            By clicking Signal Me Up, you verify you might be 16+ and comply with our <a class=\"underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phrases of Use<\/a> and <a class=\"underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/privacy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Privateness<br \/>\n                                Coverage<\/a>.\n                        <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"py-4 text-center\" x-show=\"isSuccess\" x-cloak=\"\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-12 h-12 text-green-400 mx-auto\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-prefix=\"far\" data-icon=\"check-circle\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M256 8C119.033 8 8 119.033 8 256s111.033 248 248 248 248-111.033 248-248S392.967 8 256 8zm0 48c110.532 0 200 89.451 200 200 0 110.532-89.451 200-200 200-110.532 0-200-89.451-200-200 0-110.532 89.451-200 200-200m140.204 130.267-22.536-22.718c-4.667-4.705-12.265-4.736-16.97-.068L215.346 303.697l-59.792-60.277c-4.667-4.705-12.265-4.736-16.97-.069l-22.719 22.536c-4.705 4.667-4.736 12.265-.068 16.971l90.781 91.516c4.667 4.705 12.265 4.736 16.97.068l172.589-171.204c4.704-4.668 4.734-12.266.067-16.971z\"\/><\/svg>                <\/p>\n<p class=\"text-green-500 mt-2 text-xl font-bold\">Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-2\">Your subscription has been confirmed. Control your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<section class=\"rich-text my-16 flex flex-col gap-6\" data-parent-group=\"author-bio\" aria-label=\"About Our Expert\">\n<h2 class=\"!m-0\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_Our_Skilled\"><\/span>About Our Skilled<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-8\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-6 rounded-lg bg-white p-6 text-gray-700 shadow-box md:p-10\" id=\"flyout\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-label=\"Author Bio Flyout\">\n<div class=\"font-stretch-ultra-condensed flex items-center justify-between leading-tight\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-4\">\n                                                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-[60px] shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-full bg-gray-100 ring ring-white\" src=\"https:\/\/i.pcmag.com\/imagery\/authors\/06W4G6A5rmg4LxEffqKnnc6.fit_lim.size_100x100.v1560221550.png\" alt=\"Michael Kan\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col justify-center gap-1\">\n<p>Michael Kan<\/p>\n<p>Senior Reporter<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"!m-0 border-t border-gray-300\"\/>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-2\">\n<p>Expertise<\/p>\n<div class=\"rich-text line-clamp-[7] text-base leading-normal\">\n<p>I have been a journalist for over 15 years. I acquired my begin as a colleges and cities reporter in Kansas Metropolis and joined PCMag in 2017, the place I cowl satellite tv for pc web companies, cybersecurity, PC {hardware}, and extra. I am at present primarily based in San Francisco, however beforehand spent over 5 years in China, protecting the nation&#8217;s know-how sector.<\/p>\n<p>Since 2020, I&#8217;ve lined the launch and explosive progress of SpaceX&#8217;s Starlink satellite tv for pc web service, writing 600+ tales on availability and have launches, but in addition the regulatory battles over the growth of satellite tv for pc constellations, fights with rival suppliers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and the hassle to broaden into satellite-based cellular service. I&#8217;ve combed via FCC filings for the newest information and pushed to distant corners of California to check Starlink&#8217;s mobile service. <\/p>\n<p>I additionally cowl cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. Earlier this yr, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/news\/did-avast-sell-your-data-heres-how-to-get-a-piece-of-the-ftc-settlement\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">the FTC pressured Avast<\/a> to pay customers $16.5 million for secretly harvesting and promoting their private data to third-party shoppers, as revealed in my joint <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/news\/the-cost-of-avasts-free-antivirus-companies-can-spy-on-your-clicks\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>investigation<\/u><\/a> with Motherboard.<\/p>\n<p>I additionally cowl the PC graphics card market. Pandemic-era shortages <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/news\/i-camped-out-at-best-buy-to-get-an-rtx-3000-graphics-card-feel-my-pain\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">led me to camp out<\/a> in entrance of a Finest Purchase to get an RTX 3000. I am now following how President Trump&#8217;s tariffs will have an effect on the business. I am all the time wanting to be taught extra, so please bounce within the feedback with suggestions and ship me suggestions.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                        <a class=\"w-fit self-end text-base font-bold uppercase leading-none underline\" data-module=\"author-bio\" data-element=\"read-full-bio\" data-item=\"text_link\" data-position=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/authors\/michael-kan\" aria-label=\"Michael Kan &#039;s Full Author Bio\" x-track-ga-click=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n                        Learn Full Bio<br \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<p><script>\n    var facebookPixelLoaded = false;\n    window.addEventListener('load', function() {\n        document.addEventListener('scroll', facebookPixelScript);\n        document.addEventListener('mousemove', facebookPixelScript);\n    });\n    function facebookPixelScript() {\n        if (!facebookPixelLoaded) {\n            facebookPixelLoaded = true;\n            document.removeEventListener('scroll', facebookPixelScript);\n            document.removeEventListener('mousemove', facebookPixelScript);\n            window.zdconsent.cmd.push(function() {\n                ! function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) {\n                    if (f.fbq) return;\n                    n = f.fbq = function() {\n                        n.callMethod ? n.callMethod.apply(n, arguments) : n.queue.push(arguments)\n                    };\n                    if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n;\n                    n.push = n;\n                    n.loaded = !0;\n                    n.version = '2.0';\n                    n.queue = [];\n                    t = b.createElement(e);\n                    t.async = !0;\n                    t.src = v;\n                    s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n                    s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s)\n                }(window, document, 'script', '\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n                fbq('init', '454758778052139');\n                fbq('track', \"PageView\");\n            });\n        }\n    }\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The US has nabbed the person behind an underground web site that used AI to assist prospects create pretend, however realistic-looking digital variations of presidency IDs.\u00a0 A 27-year-old Ukrainian nationwide named Yurii Nazarenko pleaded responsible to fraud expenses for operating the &#8220;OnlyFake&#8221; web site, the Justice Division (DOJ) introduced immediately. He produced and offered over [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22933,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-22931","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-input-devices"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22931"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22931\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22932,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22931\/revisions\/22932"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}