Andy Greenberg On How ‘Tracers In The Dark’ Found The Dark Web’s Worst Criminals
Public–private partnerships need to be forged with participation from internet service providers, tech companies, and shipping and mailing companies to improve government response to drug trafficking on the internet, the UNODC report says. 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.
Understanding the Dark Web Drugs Market
“Bitcoin has been a major factor in the growth of the dark web, and the dark web has been a big factor in the growth of bitcoin,” says Tiquet. Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) kits have been available on the dark web for several years, but those offerings have become far more dangerous with the rise of specialized criminal groups like REvil or GandCrab. These groups develop their own sophisticated malware, sometimes combined with pre-existing tools, and distribute them through “affiliates”. Imagine your online activity as something akin to walking through the labyrinthine streets of a city. It’s the biggest international operation targeting this kind of traffic happening on the darkest corners of the Internet – the ones most people never dwell on, and many don’t even know how to reach.
The target group of the research, composed of potential customers, ranked the reliable delivery of goods (TF 18) as the most important trust factor when buying illicit drugs on the darknet. 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. Respondents ranked vendor reliability (TF 2) as the second most important trust factor in illegal drug purchasing on the darknet. In addition, most of the respondents would prefer to purchase drugs online than in person.
Most buyers just have the drugs shipped to their homes (especially if it’s a small amount) or to a friend’s house or PO box. A Quartz summer intern said that at his university, different frat houses had agreements to receive each other’s drug shipments. Christin estimates there are about 9,300 different vendors on the dark web. He and his coauthor, Kyle Soska, recently scraped data (pdf) on transactions and prices from 35 different drug bazaars between 2013 to 2015, in order to see how the market had evolved post-Silk Road. The dealer, Paul (not his real name), explained how much easier it is to do business if he orders his supply over the web.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specific software to access, such as Tor. Within this hidden realm, various illegal activities thrive, most notably the trade of drugs. This article explores the intricacies of the dark web drugs market, its implications, and the risks involved.
The Mechanics of Dark Web Drugs Trade
Yet authorities in the US and Europe are increasingly moving to halt the sale of illegal products on the dark web. In April last year, German and US authorities shut down Hydra, the then-highest grossing dark web market with an estimated revenue of €1.23 billion, according to Europol. Similar to legal online retailers, dark net drug listings feature dozens of reviews, assessing the products for quality, purity and shipping times. These drug markets are clandestine dispensaries of illicit and dangerous substances that are sold in exchange for cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin. For police, they pose a challenging front in the fight against the opioid crisis.
The process of buying and selling drugs on the dark web is sophisticated and involves several key components:
- Marketplaces: Various platforms cater specifically to drug transactions, offering an array of substances ranging from cannabis to synthetic opioids.
- Escrow Services: To ensure secure transactions, many dark web marketplaces use escrow systems that hold payments until the buyer confirms receipt of the drugs.
- Cryptocurrencies: Transactions are typically conducted using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which provide anonymity and security, making it challenging to trace buyers or sellers.
The small manila envelope looks the same as countless other parcels the postal service delivers each day. Erika Rasure is globally-recognized as a leading consumer economics subject matter expert, researcher, and educator. She is a financial therapist and transformational coach, with a special interest in helping women learn how to invest. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. The largest number of arrests were made in the U.S., which is in the grips of an overdose crisis. Synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl, kill more Americans every year than died in the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.
Tragically, investigators discovered a link between these drugs and an overdose death of a 19-year-old man in Colorado. The young man’s family, believing they were receiving computer parts, unwittingly received drug-laden packages, leading to his untimely demise. Such stories underscore the urgency and importance of putting an end to these dark web drug operations. In a groundbreaking international operation, authorities in the United States and Europe have made significant strides in combating drug trafficking on the dark web. Nearly 300 individuals have been arrested, and a staggering $53 million has been confiscated. At the center of this operation was the dismantling of the infamous “Monopoly Market,” marking the latest major takedown of drug and illicit goods sales platforms on the dark web.
Popular Dark Web Drugs
The types of drugs found on the dark web are extensive. Some of the most common include:
- Cannabis: One of the most frequently sold substances, often available in various strains.
- MDMA: Known as ecstasy or molly, MDMA is popular for its stimulant and hallucinogenic properties.
- Heroin: A highly addictive opioid that remains prevalent in dark web sales.
- Fentanyl: A powerful synthetic opioid that poses a significant risk due to its potency.
- Cocaine: Another commonly traded drug, known for its stimulating effects.
Risks and Consequences
Engaging in the trade of dark web drugs comes with considerable risks:
- Worth approximately $1 billion at the time, it was later revealed that the US Government made these transfers in a civil forfeiture action.
- “[Given that] the dark web is anonymous, it allows for a very easy vehicle in order for people to buy drugs,” Lalande says.
- These dark web marketplaces required users to trade in digital currencies, primarily Bitcoin, and the marketplaces did not allow for transactions in official, government-backed fiat currency.
- Tor says plenty of “normal people” use its service, as well as citizen journalists, whistleblowers, law enforcement agencies and, according to Human Rights Watch, Chinese dissidents.
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing or selling drugs online can lead to severe legal repercussions, including arrest and imprisonment.
- Scams: The anonymity of the dark web raises the risk of encountering fraudulent sellers who could take your money without delivering any products.
- Health Risks: Many substances sold on these platforms may be adulterated or of unknown purity, leading to dangerous consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is only accessible through specific software, providing a platform for various illegal activities, including the sale of drugs.
How do people access the dark web?
To access the dark web, users typically utilize browsers like Tor, which anonymize their internet activity.
Are all drugs available on the dark web?
While a wide variety of drugs are available, the legality and availability vary by region based on law enforcement and market demand.
Is it safe to buy drugs on the dark web?
No, buying drugs on the dark web carries significant risks including legal repercussions and the potential for scams or dangerous products.
In conclusion, the dark web drugs market remains a complex and dangerous arena. While it may provide accessibility to various substances, the risks associated with purchasing drugs online far outweigh the perceived benefits. Awareness and caution are paramount for anyone considering delving into this hidden portion of the internet.