‘Monopoly Market’ Taken Offline As International Raids Target Dark Web Drugs Traders
Understanding Darknet Drug Markets
Rating services are increasingly popular since dark web marketplace “exit scams” remain high. “Exit scams” occur when marketplace operators suddenly shut down, stealing funds from escrow wallets and disappearing. Dark web visitors have turned to sites like Dread, which is similar to a dark web version of Reddit, for information. You can use Dread to learn which dark net markets are reputable and their locations. On a recent visit to Dread, we discovered that the ViceCity dark web market was in the middle of an exit scam.
The forum brings together many Russian hacker groups and the cyber underground world. Although it has similarities with other Russian-speaking forums and markets, Infinity members are discussing and making operational decisions in line with their political views. It took almost no time for the void left by Hydra to be filled, and dozens of new illicit markets emerged. These DWMs, mostly Russian-speaking, have repopulated 80% of the entire illegal ecosystem.
The world of the darknet is often shrouded in mystery and intrigue, particularly when it comes to drug markets. To answer the question, what is a darknet drug market like, we must delve into its structure, functionality, and the experiences of users involved in these clandestine transactions.
Stolen personal data — which can lead to identity theft — is also a big commodity. Run a dark web scan and you may be surprised to find your own personal data up for sale. That year, Ulbricht was arrested and charged with money laundering, computer hacking, conspiracy to traffic narcotics, and attempting to have at least five people killed because they threatened to reveal the truth behind the Silk Road. Police also took out a vital part of the dark web’s infrastructure, the information and review site Deepdotweb.com, arresting two suspected administrators in May in France and Israel, and seizing €7.5 million (£6.7 million) in bitcoins.
But their expensive campaigns are no more effective than a traditional shakedown on a bunch of dealers on one street corner in one city. Their replacements were serving punters before those nabbed served time. For all of the money spent by police in these investigations, it’s fair to say that the net result from a user’s perspective is simply the inconvenience of a few searches, followed by registration at a new service. The dark web model endures because it offers great efficiencies to dealers and users. In May, German police shut down Wall Street Market, a thriving marketplace that had more than 63,000 deals and 5,400 sellers, with over 1 million users worldwide. It was a resource-heavy operation, involving hundreds of separate investigations by five EU and US agencies.
And as law enforcement gained access to the vendors’ extensive buyer lists during the operation, thousands of customers around the world are also at risk of prosecution. Like hacker forums, critical data such as VIP credentials, employee data, and espionage information are sold in dark web markets as well. She said parents’ and physicians’ ignorance of the Dark Web makes it easier for young people to participate in the online drug marketplace. “Young people don’t always appreciate the risk they are taking in engaging in these activities,” she said. Parents can check to see if a Tor browser has been downloaded on their teen’s computer. Check packages that come to the house, and don’t allow your teen to have their own Post Office box.
Though volumes observed by Elliptic are comparatively insignificant to other facets of the global fentanyl trade, the failure of dark web markets to enforce their own rules raises the risk of them becoming a key facilitator in the future. The mortality rates from fentanyl consumption and increasing enforcement actions against dealers have even spooked many cybercriminals into steering clear from facilitating its trade. Dark web drugs market operators and vendors are aware of the increased law enforcement scrutiny and seizure efforts that arise from stocking fentanyl – resulting in many banning them outright. The Silk Road market operated on the Tor network, which masks your identity through IP address anonymity and encryption technology, while allowing you to find other websites on the dark web. Within the Tor network, customers could access the Silk Road, then anonymously connect with vendors to buy illegal goods with cryptocurrency.
The Structure of Darknet Drug Markets
Darknet drug markets are online platforms that facilitate the illegal sale of drugs and other illicit goods. These markets operate on the dark web, a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specific software, like Tor, to access.
This result is in line with the findings of a wide range of previous research, claiming that the highest risk of the online drug purchase process is in the delivery and receipt stage (Bancroft & Reid, 2016; Espinosa, 2019; Jardine, 2021; Lorenzo-Dus & Di Cristofaro, 2018). Although this survey study was not conducted among actual darknet market users, our findings and its extensive support by previous literature suggest that delivery issues indeed drive the recent stall in the volume of the darknet drug trade. Furthermore, examining the postal and other delivery services, including packet inspection methods and delivery protocols, could facilitate the evidence-based re-evaluation of delivery regulations and could ultimately affect customers’ decisions. Ultimately, reforming the protocols of delivery service providers and implementing targeted risk awareness campaigns could reduce both the supply and demand on darknet markets by influencing customers’ and vendors’ delivery-related risk perception. The findings from Moyle et al. (2019) and Childs et al. (2021) highlight the emergence of this mid-range market space that sits in between the technologically demanding dark web cryptomarkets and pure ‘offline’ street dealing.
Second, we then want to put forward an understanding of markets that takes into account how personal relations and social structures enhance and restrict market exchange. This book builds on the longstanding tradition of researching change and continuity in drug production, distribution, and consumption practices through the development of theoretical concepts and empirical enquiries. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, more than 60% of all trading on the darknet consists of illegal drug trafficking (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2021). Therefore, traffic trends in darknet markets seem to reflect changes in the importance of certain elements of horizontal trust between vendors and customers. At the same time, the online drug trade does not appear to be going away but is moving from the darknet to more conventional encrypted messaging applications (van der Sanden et al., 2022), building on the vendor-customer relationships that were previously established either online or offline. When it comes to who darknet drug markets sell to, there also appears to have been a change of tack.
Key characteristics of these markets include:
- Anonymous Access: Users often access these markets anonymously using VPNs and Tor browsers.
- Cryptocurrency Transactions: Transactions are primarily conducted in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, to ensure user privacy.
- User Ratings and Reviews: Sellers and products are often rated by previous buyers, fostering a system of trust as users assess the credibility of sellers.
- Variety of Products: Users can find a wide array of substances, from common illicit drugs like marijuana and cocaine to more obscure substances.
User Experience in Darknet Drug Markets
Engaging in a darknet drug market offers both convenience and risk. Users navigate these platforms in pursuit of various drugs, often driven by necessity or curiosity.
The Buying Process
The buying process typically involves the following steps:
- Account Creation: Users must create an account on the chosen darknet market.
- Navigating Listings: Users browse through listings to find the desired product.
- Evaluating Sellers: Before making a purchase, users check seller ratings and read reviews.
- Placing an Order: Once a product is selected, users proceed to checkout and choose a payment method.
- Delivery: Upon payment, sellers ship the product usually using discreet packaging to avoid detection.
- Various internationally popular social media apps (e.g. Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook), as well as some specific to a region or locality, are used to enable illicit drug exchanges between previously unconnected individuals.
- However, in the wake of Hydra’s takedown many Russian vendors set up independent vendor shops and automated Telegram shops employing Telegram shop bots, although this did not imply a wholesale move away from DNMs.
- In February 2015, Evolution, the largest marketplace on the dark web at that time, suddenly shutdown with moderators suspected of taking an estimated $12 million of retailer and buyer money being processed through Evolution’s transaction system.
- The researchers say their figures are economically significant and serve as initial evidence in support of the effectiveness of selectively targeting large-scale drug vendors to dampen darknet activities.
The Risks Involved
While the allure of darknet drug markets can be compelling, there are significant risks involved, including:
- Legal Consequences: Participating in these markets can lead to severe legal repercussions, including arrest and imprisonment.
- Scams and Fraud: Users can fall victim to scams, where sellers may not deliver the promised goods or may send dangerous substitutes.
- Security Risks: Engaging with these markets can expose users to cybersecurity threats or data breaches.
- Quality Control: The lack of regulation means that the purity and quality of drugs can be uncertain, leading to health risks.
FAQs About Darknet Drug Markets
What types of drugs are commonly sold on darknet markets?
Commonly sold drugs include cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, and a variety of synthetic substances.
Are darknet drug markets legal?
No, engaging in the buying and selling of drugs on dark web markets is illegal in most countries.
How do sellers ship drugs covertly?
Sellers often use discreet packaging and methods, such as fake labels and minimal return addresses, to avoid detection.
In conclusion, understanding what a darknet drug market is like requires a grasp of its operational mechanics and inherent risks. While these markets may offer a sense of anonymity and convenience, they come with significant dangers, both legally and personally.
