This projective (third-person) technique can help when respondents do not want to reveal their real attitudes about something (Kumar et al., 2018) and has already been applied in cyber criminology (Parti et al., 2018). This approach lets us compile a sample that is large enough to perform multivariate statistical analysis to explore trust factors behind purchasing decisions of (potential) DNM customers. Vendors on Hydra also offered services such as “Hacking for Hire,” “Ransomware as a Service” (“RaaS”), and a myriad of money laundering features. Though the drug transactions were limited to Russia and its geographic neighbors, the cyber and money laundering tools were available to anyone in the world willing to pay.
Below, we see the types of services receiving bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from darknet markets, which we use to approximate where dark web marketplace vendors and administrators are cashing out their earnings. Once a user places an order, the delivery is primarily set by location. A user is prompted to select their location immediately when accessing the site’s landing page – which is as odd for a darknet market that is designed to promote anonymity. Changes in personal circumstances impact the professional lives of many, especially during global pandemics, and darknet market operators are no exception. On January 12th 2022, UniCC – a darknet marketplace for stolen credit cards – announced its retirement on a prominent carding forum.
Understanding the Darknet Market
According to BKA, the Hydra network amassed 17 million customer accounts and over 19,000 registered sellers. Enforcement agencies noted that Hydra affiliates made the investigation extra challenging. For example, Bitcoin Bank Mixer hid digital transactions provided by the platform.
In July of 2017, a global law enforcement sting known as Operation Bayonet took down AlphaBay’s sprawling narcotics-and-cybercrime bazaar, seizing the site’s central server in Lithuania and arresting its creator, Alexandre Cazes, outside his home in Bangkok. Yet in August of last year, AlphaBay’s number-two administrator and security specialist, publicly known only as DeSnake, suddenly reappeared, announcing AlphaBay’s resurrection in a new and improved form. Now, 10 months later, thanks in part to a tumult of takedowns and the mysterious disappearances of competing dark web markets, DeSnake’s reincarnated AlphaBay is now well on its way to its former heights atop the digital underworld. Most commonly, the darknet marketplaces use a form of cryptocurrency to facilitate payments. So the anonymity of these marketplaces is matched with the alleged anonymity of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin remains the most common cryptocurrency on darknet marketplaces.
The darknet market represents a hidden part of the internet, accessible only through specialized software such as Tor. It is notorious for facilitating the trade of illegal and illicit goods and services, including drugs, weapons, and stolen data.
Due to multiple law enforcement shutdowns, darknet markets have become more security conscious over the past few years. These sites function as black markets by selling or advertising illicit goods and services, such as drugs, fraudulent materials, and weapons, among others. Hydra, which had a long-standing review system and significant entry barriers for potential sellers, provided a useful platform for vendors, including crypto launderers, to prove that they were trustworthy. The trust Hydra commanded among users is obvious from how Kraken Market, which claims to be a project of former Hydra administrators, even designed its logo to make it similar to Hydra’s. In fact, there’s no evidence that Hydra and Kraken were developed by the same team.
- Offline payment is a confidence-building factor for those who do not dare or are unable to pay online and those buying higher-value products.
- In 2021, Hydra accounted for an estimated 80% of all darknet market-related cryptocurrency transactions, and since 2015, the marketplace has received approximately $5.2 billion in cryptocurrency.
- German officials said the marketplace had about 17 million buyer accounts and more than 19,000 sales accounts.
- All vendor applications included “descriptions of the drugs they wanted to sell, photographic proof of their inventory and an agreement to pay a commission for sales completed through Monopoly,” prosecutors said.
- Another recent analysis of a large 2014 police operation identified an impact of closures on the supply and demand of drugs (but not on their prices)15.
- Forum are already one of the most influential vendors in English speaking part of TOR and have the reputation.
Vendors offer a range of weapons, from handguns to assault rifles, and even hand grenades and rocket launchers. Despite the illegal nature of these marketplaces, they still operate like any other legitimate online marketplace, with rules, regulations, and customer service. For instance, some marketplaces have policies that prohibit the sale of certain items such as child pornography or weapons of mass destruction. Like hacker forums, critical data such as VIP credentials, employee data, and espionage information are sold in dark web markets as well. Infinity Forum will target NATO and Western countries with its ideological aims throughout the Russian-Ukrainian war.
To test out this measurement tool, we selected a population less likely to purchase illegal drugs offline but more willing to do it online, anonymously, and privately, while its purchase intention is still likely to be reversible. The assessment of this trust metric enables ranking the trust factors and their comparison by relevant independent variables. Findings contribute to strategically planning demand reduction projects and interventions based on a deeper understanding of customers’ risk perception.
How the Darknet Market Works
Accessing a darknet market requires certain steps:
- Download and install the Tor browser, which anonymizes user activity.
- Navigate to specific URLs that host darknet markets.
- Create an account on these platforms, often requiring unique cryptocurrencies for transactions.
Anonymity is the cornerstone of the darknet market, relying on a decentralized network to mask user identities. This has attracted various participants ranging from buyers seeking illicit goods to sellers peddling them.
Popular Darknet Markets
Some of the most notorious darknet markets include:
Darknet-markets
- Silk Road – The original and most famous market, shut down in 2013.
- AlphaBay – A significant marketplace that was taken down in 2017.
- Hansa Market – Operated simultaneously with AlphaBay before its shutdown.
- Dream Market – Known for its wide range of products until its closure in 2019.
Risks Involved in Darknet Market Transactions
Engaging with the darknet market comes with severe risks:
- Legal Repercussions – Law enforcement monitors such activities, and penalties can be severe.
- Scams – Many users encounter fraudulent sellers, leading to significant financial loss.
- Exposure to Dangerous Goods – Quality and safety of products cannot be guaranteed.
Cryptocurrency’s Role
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero are the primary means of transaction in the darknet market. Their characteristics include:
- Anonymity – Transactions do not reveal personal information.
- Decentralization – Lack of central authority makes tracing payments difficult.
FAQs About Darknet Markets
What items can you buy on the darknet market?
Illegal drugs, counterfeit products, hacking services, weapons, and stolen data are common.
Is using a darknet market legal?
While accessing the darknet itself is legal, purchasing illegal goods and services is a crime.
Can you get caught using a darknet market?
Yes, law enforcement agencies worldwide actively monitor darknet activities.
What security measures can users take?
Utilizing a VPN in conjunction with Tor, only buying from reputable sellers, and avoiding sharing personal information can improve safety.
Conclusion
The darknet market remains a complex and risky environment where anonymity and illegal activities intersect. Understanding its workings, risks, and legal implications is crucial for anyone considering venturing into this hidden part of the internet.
