Cloud computing has revolutionized how businesses and developers operate, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) sits right at the top of that food chain. With a massive share of the market, AWS provides the backbone for countless applications, websites, and data storage solutions worldwide. For most users, signing up is a straightforward process: you go to the website, enter your details, verify your identity, and you’re ready to deploy. However, a secondary market has emerged where individuals and businesses look to buy existing AWS accounts rather than creating new ones from scratch. This might seem counterintuitive at first—why pay for something you can create for free? But for specific use cases, pre-verified or aged accounts hold significant value. Before you dive into purchasing an account, it is critical to understand the landscape. This practice sits in a grey area that requires careful navigation to avoid security pitfalls, financial loss, or bans from Amazon itself. This guide explores why people buy these accounts, the inherent risks involved, and how to navigate this process securely if you decide it is necessary for your operations. Why Do People Buy AWS Accounts? The primary motivation behind purchasing an AWS account usually boils down to friction. AWS has stringent verification processes designed to prevent fraud and abuse. For some users, these barriers are difficult to overcome, or they simply slow down operations that need to scale quickly. Bypassing Verification Hurdles New AWS accounts often face strict verification checks, including phone verification and credit card authorization. In some regions, or for users with specific banking limitations, passing these checks can be frustratingly difficult. Purchasing a fully verified account eliminates this initial setup phase, allowing immediate access to services. Accessing Higher Limits Fresh accounts come with “soft limits” on resources. For example, a new account might be restricted in the number of EC2 instances it can launch or the volume of emails it can send via SES (Simple Email Service). Aged accounts, or those with a billing history, often have these limits raised. Businesses looking to scale rapidly without waiting for limit increase requests to be approved might buy established accounts to bypass these initial caps. Regional Availability Sometimes, developers need to test applications or deploy resources in regions that might be restricted or harder to access from their current location. Accounts created in specific regions can sometimes offer smoother access to those local data centers. The Risks Involved in Purchasing Accounts While the benefits of speed and access are appealing, buying an AWS account is not without significant danger. It is essential to weigh these risks heavily against the potential convenience. Violation of Terms of Service The most immediate risk is that buying and selling accounts is generally a violation of AWS Terms of Service. Amazon’s agreement typically states that accounts are non-transferable. If AWS detects that an account has changed hands—through sudden changes in login location, usage patterns, or billing details—they reserve the right to suspend or terminate the account immediately. If your critical infrastructure is hosted on that account, you could lose everything overnight. Security Vulnerabilities When you buy an account, you are effectively trusting the seller with the keys to your digital kingdom. Even if you change the password, the original owner might have retained backdoor access through API keys, hidden IAM users, or recovery methods you missed. A malicious seller could wait for you to load the account with credits or data and then reclaim it. Financial Fraud and “Carding” A darker side of this market involves accounts created using stolen credit card details (known as “carding”). If you purchase an account that was verified with a stolen card, you become unknowingly complicit in fraud. Once the bank issues a chargeback or AWS detects the fraud, the account will be banned, and you will lose your investment. Legitimate Uses and Scenarios Despite the risks, are there legitimate reasons to transfer or acquire an account? Yes, though they look different from buying a cheap account on a forum. Business Acquisitions The most common legitimate scenario is during a business acquisition. If Company A buys Company B, they also acquire Company B’s digital assets, including their AWS accounts. This transfer is standard corporate procedure, though it usually involves updating billing and contact information rather than a clandestine handover of credentials. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) Some agencies and Managed Service Providers create and manage AWS accounts on behalf of their clients. In this relationship, the client “buys” the account setup and management as a service. Eventually, the MSP might transfer full ownership of the account to the client. This is a recognized professional service rather than a black-market transaction. Project Hand-offs freelance developers or development agencies often build infrastructure on an AWS account they control. Once the project is complete, they transfer the credentials and billing responsibility to the client. This is a functional transfer of ownership necessary for the client to maintain their own application. Where to Buy and What to Look For If you determine that your need for a purchased account falls within a necessary or acceptable risk profile, you must be extremely selective about your source. Reputable Marketplaces vs. Shadowy Forums Avoid anonymous forums or social media direct messages where accountability is non-existent. Look for established platforms or marketplaces that offer some form of escrow service or buyer protection. These platforms hold the funds until you have verified access to the account, reducing the risk of an outright scam. What to Verify Before Paying Account Age: Older accounts are generally more stable and less likely to be flagged for suspicious activity than brand-new ones. Billing History: An account with a clean billing history is valuable. Ask for proof that previous bills were paid and that there are no outstanding debts. Region: Ensure the account was created in a region that matches your needs to avoid triggering fraud detection algorithms when you log in. Resource Limits: If you are buying an account specifically for higher limits (like SES email sending limits), request