One site alone generated an estimated $219 million in annual revenue as of 2017, according to a new NIJ-supported report by the RAND Corporation (RAND). The report, “Identifying Law Enforcement Needs for Conducting Criminal Investigations Involving Evidence on the Dark Web,” explores better ways to investigate dark web crimes. Although the dark web still accounts for just a fraction of all illicit sales online, it appears poised for rapid growth, according to the report. As an active administrator in hosting Hydra’s servers, Pavlov allegedly conspired with the other operators of Hydra to further the site’s success by providing the critical infrastructure that allowed Hydra to operate and thrive in a competitive darknet market environment. In doing so, Pavlov is alleged to have facilitated Hydra’s activities and allowed Hydra to reap commissions worth millions of dollars generated from the illicit sales conducted through the site.
For added peace of mind, your Aura plan comes equipped with a $1,000,000 insurance policy that covers eligible losses resulting from identity theft. And if you have no idea what to do if your identity is stolen, Aura has your back. If your personal details can be found on web search engines, then they’re most likely available on the Dark Web, too. The Dark Web’s abilities to provide airtight confidentiality has created an environment conducive to crime of all sorts. Those who want to browse and use the Dark Web need to use specialized software, such as the Tor browser.
You’ve probably heard of big security breaches at companies like Capital One and Home Depot, in which tens of millions of customers’ credit card information was compromised. Card shops are a category of darknet market where users can purchase stolen credit card information. The arrests stem from the December 2021 seizure of the infrastructure supporting the Monopoly Market, a darknet drug marketplace dating back to 2019.
Understanding Police Efforts Against Darknet Markets
The rise of darknet markets has posed significant challenges to law enforcement agencies worldwide. These illegal online platforms facilitate the trade of various illicit goods and services, ranging from drugs to stolen data. As such, the question arises: how many police agencies are going after darknet markets?
One study[1] estimated that 57 percent of dark websites facilitate illicit activity, according to the RAND report. At various points in 2013 and 2016, large drug sales on the dark net approached a quarter of all cryptomarket drug revenue, the report said. The Department of Justice joined the United Kingdom and international law enforcement partners in London today to announce the disruption of the LockBit ransomware group, one of the most active… Sellers who deliver the goods as promised receive higher ratings and are rewarded with a better reputation over time. Darknet markets provide resources for sellers and buyers on how to get the products through the mail, including what supplies are needed to disguise shipments and techniques to foil detection.
The Global Landscape of Law Enforcement
HSI also provides critical support on tracing and identifying illicit proceeds derived from the distribution and online sale of these dangerous drugs. Law enforcement agencies and regulators continue to be interested in identifying and disrupting darknet websites that create, promote, or traffic in illicit activities, including CSAM, illegal weapons sales, drug sales, hacking as a service, and money laundering activities. 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.
The lack of centralized control on the dark web further exacerbates the difficulty in pinpointing the perpetrators and brings to the forefront the need for seamless cooperation between law enforcement bodies worldwide. Overcoming these hurdles requires investigators to stay abreast of evolving encryption techniques and employ innovative tools to unmask anonymity, ensuring that the cloak of darkness does not shield criminals from justice. The category of individual and community factors includes items related to the popularity, recommendation, and reliability of the seller and the platform.
In a coordinated effort, law enforcement agencies in six countries, plus Europol, shut down two illicit dark web markets and gathered communications on vendors and users, which experts said could lead to more prosecutions. Darknet markets have been rapidly growing and the amount of drugs being sold on them keeps rising. This paper finds no significant changes in prices of drug listings before and after drug busts, and no significant changes in price per unit of drugs across the entire market. The results are similar to prior research done on normal drug markets that determined that police interventions have no significant effect on changing drug prices.
Efforts to combat darknet markets are not limited to a single country. Instead, a coordinated approach involves numerous police agencies across the globe. Here are several key players in this ongoing battle:
The figure below shows a flowchart of the payment model being used in darknet markets. The eventual fate of all darknet markets is to be seized, to be hacked, to exit scam, or to voluntarily shut down. It’s most likely that the majority of darknet markets plan to exit scam from their inception, especially as a plan B if things go sideways.
- In 2015, drug-related products accounted for 70% of total sales in darknet markets.
- The pills sold on darknet marketplaces are often counterfeit and laced with the powerful opioid, Attorney General Merrick Garland said.
- “Ubivis” is Latin for everywhere, and that is what is needed to aptly address the ongoing plague of dark web-sourced narcotics flooding our communities and causing overdoses.
- Patterns recommended to avoid include hiring hitmen like Dread Pirate Roberts, and sharing handles for software questions on sites like Stack Exchange.
- These empirical studies focused on the trust factors in online purchasing, which consumers considered indispensable for safe online shopping.
- FBI (United States): The Federal Bureau of Investigation has established dedicated units to monitor and infiltrate darknet markets.
- Europol (European Union): The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation often collaborates with member states to tackle cybercrime.
- National Crime Agency (United Kingdom): The NCA leads initiatives to dismantle illegal online marketplaces.
- Australian Federal Police (Australia): AFP conducts operations aimed at closing down darknet operations affecting the region.
- RCMP (Canada): The Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigates online criminal activities, including those on darknet platforms.
Collaborative Efforts
Markets
In addition to individual agencies, multiple countries often collaborate on operations against darknet markets. Initiatives include:
- Joint Task Forces: These are formed to combine resources and expertise from various countries.
- International Conferences: Events where law enforcement agencies share insights and strategies.
- Information Sharing: Agencies exchange data on trends and operations associated with darknet activities.
Challenges Faced by Police Agencies
Despite the combined efforts, law enforcement agencies face several challenges:
- Anonymity: Darknet users often utilize encryption and anonymity tools, making it difficult to trace activities.
- Rapid Market Evolution: New markets frequently emerge, sometimes replacing those that have been shut down.
- Legal Jurisdictions: The international nature of the internet complicates enforcement efforts across borders.
Recent Success Stories
Despite these challenges, there have been notable successes in the fight against darknet markets:
- Operation Disruptor (2020): A coordinated international effort led to over 170 arrests worldwide.
- Shutdown of Silk Road 2.0: Following the original Silk Road’s demise, agencies targeted its successor, leading to significant arrests.
- Administration of the DarkNet^2: In a significant operation, law enforcement agencies infiltrated and took control of this platform.
FAQs
What types of crimes are being investigated on darknet markets?
Common crimes include drug trafficking, weapons sales, and the distribution of stolen personal information.
How do police agencies gather intelligence on darknet markets?
Agencies use a mix of undercover operations, monitoring software, and collaborations with cybersecurity experts.
What role does the public play in reporting darknet activities?
Public tips and information are vital in guiding investigations and identifying suspect activities.
The question of how many police agencies are going after darknet markets reflects a significant and growing international effort to curb illegal online activities. With continual advancements in technology, law enforcement agencies are adapting their strategies to maintain effectiveness in this ongoing battle against cybercrime.
