BUFFALO, N.Y. – Terrance Michael Ciszek, 35, a detective with the Buffalo Police Department, is facing a superseding federal indictment for his alleged involvement in a sprawling dark web fraud scheme. Ciszek, also known online as “DrMonster,” stands accused of purchasing stolen account credentials and attempting to use fraudulent credit cards obtained through the illicit Genesis Market.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the charges today, detailing how Ciszek allegedly engaged in the purchase of 11 packages on Genesis Market between March and August 2020. These packages contained a staggering 194 stolen account credentials – usernames, passwords, and other personal data harvested from malware-infected computers globally. The feds say Ciszek then attempted to use the stolen credit cards to make purchases.
The Genesis Market, as detailed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, operates as a clearinghouse for stolen data. Operators compile compromised information – everything from computer identifiers to email addresses – and sell it as a package deal. Transactions are conducted using virtual currency like bitcoin, adding a layer of anonymity for both buyers and sellers. The FBI began investigating the marketplace back in August 2018.
The indictment further alleges that on April 15, 2020, Ciszek possessed and used the identification – name, address, and credit card information – of another person. Adding insult to injury, on April 4, 2023, Ciszek allegedly lied to the FBI during questioning, claiming he hadn’t purchased stolen credentials online and even suggesting his nephew might be responsible. That’s a bold-faced lie that now carries its own weight.
If convicted on the charges of affecting transactions with access devices issued to other persons and aggravated identity theft, Ciszek faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He was previously indicted on charges of possession of unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud and making a false statement to a federal agency. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
It’s a damning indictment for a member of law enforcement, and a stark reminder that even those sworn to uphold the law aren’t immune to the temptations of the digital underworld. As with all criminal cases, Ciszek is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the evidence presented suggests a serious breach of trust, and a detective who allegedly traded his badge for black market access.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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