We're constantly monitoring historical breaches to identify patterns and potential re-emergence of compromised data. What initially appeared as a relatively small, outdated breach from 2003 involving the Atlantis-Casino mailing list caught our attention not because of its size (111,208 records), but because of the age and potential for these email addresses to still be in use – and therefore targets for phishing or credential stuffing attacks. The fact that this list surfaced again now, after two decades, suggests it's being actively traded and potentially used in contemporary campaigns.
The Atlantis-Casino breach, dating back to June 2003, involved the exposure of approximately 111,208 unique email addresses. The data originated from a database leak at the online casino. While the breach itself is old, the continued circulation of these email addresses poses an ongoing risk to individuals whose information was compromised. This incident underscores the long-term implications of data breaches, where compromised information can resurface years later to be exploited in new attacks.
Our team flagged this breach during routine monitoring of dark web marketplaces. What made this particular incident noteworthy was the re-emergence of the data on several Telegram channels known for trading older breach compilations. The age of the data might lead some to dismiss it, but the persistence of these email addresses across decades makes them attractive targets for actors looking to leverage established online identities.
This breach matters to enterprises now because it highlights the enduring nature of compromised email addresses. Even if individuals have changed passwords or moved on from the services associated with these accounts, the email addresses themselves remain a persistent identifier. Threat actors can use this information for targeted phishing campaigns, attempting to trick individuals into revealing more sensitive information or gaining access to corporate networks through compromised personal accounts. This is especially relevant for organizations with employees who may have used these email addresses for personal accounts years ago.
Key point: Total records exposed: 111,208
Key point: Types of data included: Email Addresses
Key point: Source structure: Database
Key point: Leak location(s): Telegram channels, dark web marketplaces
Key point: Date of Leak: 23-Jun-2003
While specific details on the original breach are scarce, similar incidents from that era often stemmed from SQL injection vulnerabilities or insecure storage of user data. The fact that the data is still circulating indicates a failure to fully eradicate the compromised information from the internet.
The reappearance of the Atlantis-Casino mailing list aligns with a broader trend of threat actors leveraging older data breaches for targeted attacks. As reported by BleepingComputer, threat actors often compile and trade lists of compromised email addresses and passwords, using them in credential stuffing attacks against various online services. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive monitoring for compromised credentials and the need for robust security measures to protect against phishing and credential-based attacks.
Email · Address
HEROIC is close to launching our next-generation platform where you can search, secure, and monitor all of your identities. To be the first in line, simply insert your email and you'll be added to the list
Be the first to know when we launch
Email marketing by Interspire
See if your personal information has been exposed in data breaches
Scan to sign up instantly
We found your data exposed in multiple breaches. This includes:
Your information is protected by enterprise-grade security