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Understanding the Dark Web
‘I’m Using My Past Life To Support And Help People Now’
The term dark web refers to a part of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access.
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”. ASAP Market showing a listing of fentanyl, despite supposedly banning the sale of the drug. “China White” is likely to be α-Methylfentany – a powerful fentanyl analog – yet it can be hard to establish its composition as traffickers use a range of chemicals based on what they can source pre-production. Dark web market rules prohibiting the sale of fentanyl on their platforms.
Tor estimates that only about 4 percent of traffic over its network is for hidden services (or dark web content); the rest is people accessing regular internet sites with greater anonymity. And aside from their wares, these marketplaces look remarkably similar to their counterparts on the “clearnet”, or regular internet. Users leave detailed reviews on the quality of a vendor’s product, speed of delivery, and how secure the shipping method was. There’s information on where vendors are located and where they’ll ship to. The websites are clean, well organized, and easy to navigate; there are icons for online support, shopping carts, and order status.
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. 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.
One of the most common questions that arises when discussing the dark web is, “Can you buy drugs on the dark web?”
How the Dark Web Works
The dark web operates on anonymity. It uses various technologies such as Tor (The Onion Router) to mask users’ identities and locations. This anonymity is a key factor that attracts many users.
If the takedown of Silk Road taught us anything at all, it is that selling and buying drugs online is possible—and that these websites work. There are many imitators of this online drug arena, half of which derived directly from the Silk Road template. But now, the number of websites selling drugs illegally has increased exponentially. Today, there are about 9,300 websites selling drugs illegally on the darkweb. The currency of choice here is Bitcoin, the digital cryptocurrency, which can be exchanged easily enough for real world currency, and offers its users a high degree of anonymity. To help keep buyers anonymous, other developers have created “tumbling” services, which are a sort of micro-laundering system that obscures who is sending Bitcoins to whom.
Dark web marketplaces function similarly to e-commerce sites but are shrouded in secrecy. Users can buy a range of illicit items, including drugs, with varying degrees of risk involved.
Buying Drugs on the Dark Web
I thought it might be worth explaining, for the benefit of people who use drugs and are either unable to access the dark web or want to avoid the extra costs. Buying drugs online from a stranger is dangerous because you do not know who made the drugs, where they came from, or how they were made. There is no quality control department at your dealer’s house, and the people making these drugs do not care about your safety. The Elliptic Investigator graphs shown above underscore these capabilities – allowing any associations between dark web markets or vendors with fentanyl suppliers to be unearthed with ease. This emphasizes how, in this instance, the transparency of cryptoassets can be used to identify activity that illicit actors may have gone to great lengths to conceal.
To answer the question, “Can you buy drugs on the dark web?”— yes, it is possible to purchase drugs online through these marketplaces. Here are some critical points to consider:
- Variety of Products: A wide array of drugs can be found, including marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and prescription medication.
- Payment Methods: Transactions typically involve cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to ensure anonymity.
- User Reviews: Many marketplaces have rating systems that allow buyers to review sellers and products.
- Shipping: Drugs are often mailed to buyers in discreet packages to avoid detection.
- Risk of Scams: There is a high risk of encountering scams, as not all sellers are honest.
- Legal Consequences: Buying drugs on the dark web can lead to severe legal penalties if caught.
If you want to learn all about privacy protection or cryptocurrency, the dark web has plenty to offer. There are a variety of private and encrypted email services, instructions for installing an anonymous operating system and advanced tips for the privacy-conscious. Even completing a transaction is no guarantee that the goods will arrive. Many need to cross international borders, and customs officials are cracking down on suspicious packages. The dark web news site Deep.Dot.Web teems with stories of buyers who have been arrested or jailed for attempted purchases.
In fact, Elliptic’s internal analysis has identified no less than 14 suppliers that have been selling fentanyl to vendors on ASAP Market, receiving Bitcoin payments worth approximately $108,000 in total. The direct payments from vendors to suppliers, and subsequent payouts from ASAP Market following sales, is shown on the Elliptic Investigator graph below. Elliptic’s investigation into the role of crypto in the fentanyl trade has uncovered that these rules are often not strictly enforced. Many vendors still sell fentanyl on mainstream dark web markets, disguised using names such as “China White” and hashtags such as “fetty” or “synthetic”.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
While the dark web offers gateways to purchase illicit drugs, it is crucial to consider the legal ramifications:
- Law Enforcement: Many law enforcement agencies worldwide monitor the dark web and have taken action against drug-related activities.
- Potential Harm: Purchasing drugs without proper knowledge can lead to health risks and potential overdose.
- Ethical Implications: Supporting the illegal drug market can have widespread social and economic consequences.
FAQs
Can law enforcement track purchases on the dark web?
Yes, law enforcement agencies have tools and techniques to monitor dark web transactions and may trace cryptocurrencies back to users.
What safety measures should I take if exploring the dark web?
- I also always ask for a tracking number, so that I at least know that something is on its way.
- However, the views, interpretations and conclusions set out in this publication are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the EMCDDA, Europol or their partners, any EU Member State or any agency or institution of the European Union.
- It helps users locate sites that have gone down — due to a DDoS attack or other event — and relaunched under new URLs.
- Smart sellers use several post offices, all far from their homes—and, preferably, not overlooked by CCTV cameras.
If considering navigation of the dark web, utilize a VPN, be cautious about sharing personal information, and never download unknown files.
Are all dark web drug marketplaces the same?
No, dark web marketplaces vary significantly in terms of reliability, product quality, and user safety.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is indeed possible to answer the question, “Can you buy drugs on the dark web?”— the associated risks are significant. Awareness of the legal and societal consequences, alongside personal safety measures, are paramount for anyone considering engaging with dark web marketplaces.
