The 69-year-old, who used the nick “Devilman,” was an experienced credit card thief who ran a mini card factory out of his house. As recently as December 2020, an announcement on the reddit-style forum Dread highlighted that DarkMarket had hit the milestone of half a million users, signifying its popularity across the criminal underground and status as one of the “go-to” marketplaces. After DarkMarket’s seizure in January 2021, reporting suggested the marketplace had 2,400 active vendors and had facilitated over 320,000 transactions. Conservative estimates calculated that around USD 170 million had changed hands on the site throughout its tenure.
The recent alleged seizure of the carding AVC Joker’s Stash’s Blockchain DNS domains didn’t generate as much discussion as we might have expected. And, a few weeks on from the takedown of the “largest darknet marketplace”, DarkMarket, the ripples in the cybercriminal underground are barely discernible. Taking this as our starting point, in this blog we’ll dive into the cybercriminal community’s reaction to the recent seizure of DarkMarket and ask why this news has not had the impact some might have expected. At the same time, the Italian authorities have moved against two other dark web markets, DeepSea and Berlusconi, and arrested four people alleged to be involved in their administration. As the end of the book approaches, you may, like me, start to become a little befuddled as to just who really is which alias; but the book closes with a nice epilogue of the arrests and sentencing, which highlights just how tough it can be to determine the scope of cybercrime and its impact.
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- Crucially, another law enforcement seizure only strengthens the more secure marketplaces’ argument that the cybercriminal community leave behind the platforms they are accustomed to.
- Transactions conducted on it in cryptocurrency were worth more than 140 million euros ($170 million).
- “The team also aims to enhance joint technical and investigative actions, and organise training and capacity-building initiatives, together with prevention and awareness-raising campaigns – a 360° strategy against criminality on the dark web,” the organisation said.
- Last weekend, the German Central Criminal Investigation Department arrested a 34-year-old Australian man, who was allegedly operating DarkMarket in the proximity of the German-Danish border.
- As part of an international law enforcement effort, federal authorities seized internet domains that were used to sell computer malware used by cybercriminals to secretly access and steal data from…
A German cybercrime unit’s findings also made it possible to shut down DarkMarket and to seize its servers (more than 20 of them) in Moldova and Ukraine. Authorities are expecting the data stored in those servers to lead them to the marketplace’s moderators, sellers and buyers. Authorities say drugs, counterfeit money, stolen credit card data, anonymous SIM cards and malware were all traded on the site, which had a half a million users and transacted business in cryptocurrencies equivalent to a value of €140 million ($170 million). Dark web marketplaces are fertile ground for cybercriminals who use them to expand their network, activity, supplies, and knowledge of various criminal fields. Dangerous illegal products are added and bought on these marketplaces on an hourly basis, and more and more markets launch a matching forum to keep expanding and supporting criminal web activity.
DarkMarket, also known as “the Amazon of illegal commerce,” is a hidden corner of the internet where illicit goods and services are bought and sold. This digital black market is accessible only through specialized software, such as the Tor browser, which enables anonymous communication and conceals users’ identities and locations.
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What is traded on DarkMarket?
When did Dream Market shut down?
The market also had accompanying forums, hosted on a different URL, where buyers, vendors, and other members of the community could interact. It is one of the longest running darknet markets. Administrator and prolific vendor Gal Vallerius was arrested in August 2017. The site shut down on April 30, 2019.
DarkMarket offers a wide range of illicit products and services, including drugs, weapons, stolen credit card information, counterfeit currency, and hacking tools. The site operates on a cryptocurrency-based economy, with transactions typically conducted using Bitcoin or other decentralized digital currencies.
Dark Market
Drugs
DarkMarket is notorious for its extensive selection of illegal drugs, including cocaine, heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and prescription medications. These substances are often sold in large quantities, making the site a popular destination for drug traffickers and dealers. The site also features a robust community of users who share information about drug use, dosages, and effects.
This obviously included gaining users’ banking details, whether from a physical card skimming device on an ATM or EPOS system, or using malware to steal the information online. From the criminal perspective, the book recounts their often-accidental journey into crime. It looks at the challenges they faced, such as building trust between criminals, who could not turn to violence in the digital world, as they would in the physical, when things didn’t go as anticipated. It also explores the battles between carding groups/individuals and, of course, how they tried to evade capture. In 2024, we anticipate an expansion in the variety and complexity of these services.
Weapons
Firearms and other weapons are also traded on DarkMarket. These items are often sold illegally, without the proper permits or background checks required by law. The site has been linked to several high-profile cases of gun violence, including the 2015 shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado.
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Stolen Credit Card Information
Stolen credit card information is another popular commodity on DarkMarket. This information is often obtained through data breaches, phishing scams, or other forms of cybercrime. Once acquired, the information is sold to other criminals who use it to make fraudulent purchases or commit identity theft.
Counterfeit Currency
Counterfeit currency is also traded on DarkMarket. These fake bills are often produced using high-quality printers and materials, making them difficult to distinguish from genuine currency. The site has been linked to several cases of counterfeit currency being passed off as real in various parts of the world.
Hacking Tools
Hacking tools, such as malware, ransomware, and exploit kits, are also sold on DarkMarket. These tools are often used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to computer systems, steal sensitive data, or extort money from victims. The site has been linked to several high-profile cyberattacks, including the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack.
One of the clues unearthed by the trawl of CyberBunker’s servers was related to the ownership of DarkMarket. In May, 2020, an online-crime unit in the northern German city of Oldenburg was asked to investigate. British, American, and Australian forces then helped to follow the clues to verify real-world information about them. The investigation of DarkMarket was spurred by another, much larger German police investigation into an organization called CyberBunker, which I wrote about in the magazine last year.
What percentage of people are on the dark web?
Only approximately 6.7% of global users use the dark web for illicit activities such as sharing malware, distributing child abuse content, or selling illegal substances or weapons. Of course, many regular users of the dark web are selling dangerous, stolen or illegal items and many are also engaged in cybercrime.
Conclusion
DarkMarket is a hidden world of online illicit trade, where drugs, weapons, stolen credit card information, counterfeit currency, and hacking tools are bought and sold. The site operates on a cryptocurrency-based economy, making it difficult for law enforcement to track and prosecute its users. While DarkMarket may offer a sense of anonymity and freedom to its users, it also contributes to the proliferation of illegal goods and services, posing a significant threat to public safety and security.
It is important to note that engaging in illegal activities, including buying or selling illicit goods or services on DarkMarket, is a criminal offense and can result in severe legal consequences. Law enforcement agencies worldwide are actively working to shut down these digital black markets and bring their users to justice. As a responsible internet user, it is crucial to avoid participating in or supporting these illegal activities.
Does black market mean illegal?
Illegal market transactions usually occur “under the table” to let participants avoid government price controls or taxes. The goods and services offered in a black market can be illegal, meaning their purchase and sale are prohibited by law, or they can be legal but transacted to avoid taxes.
