SpyCast The Dark Web Broker
Sep 23, 2025
Vinny Troia, a veteran hacker and dark web data broker, dives into his fascinating world of cyber investigations. He shares how he built trust within criminal networks and the art of negotiating the sale of sensitive data to law enforcement. Hear about his discovery of a massive unsecured Shanghai police server and the implications of foreign population data for intelligence. Vinny also discusses the ethical dilemmas he faces and his use of AI to sift through vast amounts of leaked information in today’s digital landscape.
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Self-Taught Hacker Origins
- Vinny learned computing by himself after his dad brought home a computer when he was 10 or 11.
- He practiced breaking into systems early using dial-up and bulletin board systems, which shaped his career.
How The FBI Pulled Him Into The Dark Web
- Vinny was approached at a conference to help the FBI investigate the Dark Overlord group.
- That case pushed him into dark web research and identifying key criminal players via breached data.
Tracking Dark Overlord Through Old Breaches
- Dark Overlord threatened physical violence and disrupted schools, drawing public and government attention.
- Vinny traced them through older breached datasets and OPSEC mistakes to identify members.
