One Telegram File Named ’16K_LinkedIn’ Held 11,251 Stolen Passwords

16K_LinkedIn_KurdishPy Combolist: 11,251 Records Leaked on Telegram

On August 6, 2026, HEROIC analysts identified a combolist file named "16K_LinkedIn_KurdishPy" uploaded to a Telegram channel. Despite the "16K" in its filename, the verified file actually contained 11,251 records pairing email addresses with plaintext passwords and the URLs where each credential was originally captured, tagged with the handle of the uploader who compiled and shared it.

Why This Is Dangerous

Every password in this file is stored as plain, readable text, so there is no encryption for an attacker to break through. Anyone who grabs the file can immediately pair an email address with its password and the URL it was used on, then try logging in directly. That removes the single biggest obstacle criminals normally face and turns 11,251 accounts into an instant target list.

What Was Exposed

• Email Addresses
• Plaintext Passwords
• URLs

Why This Matters

Combolists like this one feed directly into credential stuffing attacks, where automated tools rapidly test each email and password pair against banking portals, work accounts, and social platforms including LinkedIn itself. Anyone in this batch who reused their password elsewhere faces a real risk of account takeover, identity theft, or fraud, since a single working credential can unlock several unrelated accounts at once.

How Combolists Work

A combolist is a plain text file listing usernames or email addresses alongside their matching passwords, typically pulled from older breaches, phishing pages, or infostealer malware and then bundled together for resale or free distribution. Uploaders often brand their files, as seen with the "KurdishPy" tag here, to build a reputation in criminal channels, and once posted to Telegram these lists spread quickly because they are formatted for immediate, automated login attempts.

Check If You Are Affected

If you want to know whether your email address is part of this leak, HEROIC's free breach scanner checks your details against more than 400 billion leaked records, including combolists like this one. It only takes a moment to search, and it is the fastest way to find out if you need to change a password before someone else uses it.