9,924 Plaintext Passwords Were the Prize in the USA Telegram Leak

In May 2026, HEROIC analysts identified a stealer log file uploaded to Telegram under the name "USA uploaded by a Telegram User." With 9,924 records, this was a substantial collection of stolen credentials. Each entry contained an email address, a plaintext password, and the URL of the service where the login was captured. The scale of this leak means nearly ten thousand individuals may have their accounts exposed to immediate takeover.

Why Nearly 10,000 Plaintext Passwords Pose a Severe Threat

Every password in this collection is stored in plain, readable text. There are no hashes to crack, no encryption layers to bypass. An attacker with access to this file can attempt logins against the listed URLs within seconds of opening it. At 9,924 records, even a small success rate yields hundreds of compromised accounts.

Criminals who acquire files of this size typically automate the process. They feed the entire dataset into credential-testing tools that work through thousands of login attempts per hour, checking each pair against the original site and then against dozens of other popular platforms. The sheer volume of this leak makes it a high-value asset on underground markets.

What Was Exposed

• Email Addresses - The primary account identifiers for nearly 10,000 users
• Plaintext Passwords - Completely unprotected passwords, readable by anyone with the file
• URLs - The login pages of the services where these credentials were actively used

Why a Leak This Size Accelerates Account Takeover

Large credential dumps attract more attention from organized cybercriminal groups. A file with nearly 10,000 working email and password pairs can be used for mass credential stuffing attacks against banking, email, e-commerce, and social media platforms. Attackers purchase or download these files specifically because the volume increases their odds of finding reused passwords across high-value services.

For individuals in this dataset, the risk compounds quickly. A compromised email account can be used to reset passwords on every service connected to it. Financial fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized access to workplace systems all become possible from a single exposed credential.

How Stealer Logs Capture Credentials at Scale

Stealer logs originate from infostealer malware distributed through malicious downloads, phishing campaigns, and compromised software. Once the malware infects a device, it monitors the user's browser and captures every credential entered into login forms. It also harvests passwords saved in the browser's password manager.

The stolen data is compiled into log files, each representing one infected device. When thousands of these logs are combined into a single collection like this one, the result is a massive file containing credentials from thousands of different people, all stored in an easily searchable format that attackers can exploit immediately.

Check If You Are Affected

This breach has been indexed in HEROIC's threat intelligence database alongside over 400 billion other compromised records. HEROIC's free breach scanner allows you to search for your email address and see whether your credentials appear in this stealer log or any other known data exposure. With a dataset this large, checking your exposure is a critical first step toward protecting your accounts from unauthorized access.