Understanding the Risks and Realities of Buying Drugs on the Darknet
All this produces a well-behaved price distribution like the one you’d find in any functional, legal market. As noted above, you may think you’re anonymous, but you can make yourself visible to government and law enforcement monitoring. While most of the dark web operates under the radar, so to speak, government and law enforcement agencies around the world have also learned how to use the dark web. If you’re caught buying drugs on the dark web, you can face significant prison time. The surface web is what most of us use every day for our work, shopping, or enjoyment.
Buying drugs online and through social media or on the dark web can be extremely dangerous with fatal consequences. It might be that the drug that you think you are buying only forms small part of the product or is not even present at all. Illegal drugs are frequently made with other substances to bulk them out and increase the amount of money the seller makes. You cannot tell by looking at it is the drug will have the effect you are expecting, no effect at all, or have more dangerous side effects than you were expecting. Online drug marketplaces seem to have started around 2011, when Silk Road disrupted the way people buy drugs, shifting from dark alleys to the dark web. We also routinely track dark web markets for additional risk factors, such as the trade in fentanyl and firearms.
The phenomenon of buying drugs on the darknet has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. This underground marketplace offers anonymity and access to a variety of substances. However, it is crucial to understand the implications and dangers involved.
LegitScript specializes in risk and compliance for highly regulated industries including CBD/cannabis, online gambling, cryptocurrencies, drugs, financial trading, online adult, scams and fraud, and more. Another finding in the RAND 2016 report was that the Dark Net has started to play a major role in supplying ‘offline’ drug markets, as street dealers buy in bulk at cheaper prices and sell on for profit. Researchers found a quarter of the drug sales were for listings worth more than $1,000 (£768), suggesting that these purchases were intended for resale. Because they live on the fringes, these sites are remarkably innovative.
- A screenshot of Dream Market, below, shows drugs on offer, including crystal meth, cocaine, hash and MDMA.
- To see my latest article on the state of the darknet, please check out my article on “Will Instability in English Language Darknet Markets Open the Door for Hydra?” on about-fraud.com.
- The deep web is any part of the Internet that isn’t indexed by search engines – which means its websites aren’t organised through the process normally used by search engines to identify relevant information.
- Stealth becomes more significant in illegal than in legal commercial transactions, where invisibility can prevent exposure or embarrassment (Aldridge & Askew, 2017).
- Drug-users do not come into hospitals, he says, so health workers need to go and find them.
LegitScript’s investigative analysts frequently conduct research on both the surface web and dark web in our efforts to identify operators illegally selling drugs and other federally regulated products. Contact us to learn more about our expertise in identifying cybercriminals and mapping out the often complex networks they operate. Hydra, a giant Russian-language darkweb marketplace that used cryptocurrencies for the sale and purchase of drugs, is also said to have used Binance to process more than $780 million. Separately, crypto researcher Chainalysis, hired by U.S. government agencies to track illegal flows, concluded in a 2020 report that Binance received criminal funds totaling $770 million alone, more than any other crypto exchange.
Liam gets his fix from a site called Dream Market, a one-stop shop for drugs. “If [there is a risk] my family finds out about my addiction, yeah, I’d probably rather overdose…. “There’s no dealer in Calgary that can match the huge selection that’s available on the dark net,” says Liam, whose real name isn’t being disclosed by CBC News because he fears potential criminal and other repercussions if he goes public. To see my latest article on the state of the darknet, please check out my article on “Will Instability in English Language Darknet Markets Open the Door for Hydra?” on about-fraud.com. When you buy opioids online from untrusted sources, you’ll also be faced with unquantifiable delays as the medication is mailed.
But a potential threat to this is the Government’s new “Snooper’s Charter” – which despite still not allowing the officials to track Dark Web activity would reveal Clear Net downloading of Tor or searching drug-related Reddit threads. Another 2016 report, carried out by RAND and commissioned by the Dutch government, revealed that the UK now has the highest number of online drug dealers in Europe. Not only has it allowed for an unprecedented level of connectivity around the world, it’s also ushered in a new age of innovation.
The biggest still standing is Alphabay, though the recently opened fourth version of Silk Road could knock it off the top spot. In the quantitative questionnaire, we applied a trust scale of 21 items developed based on previous research results on legal and illegal online purchase transactions. These empirical studies focused on the trust factors in online purchasing, which consumers considered indispensable for safe online shopping. To facilitate the application, we have created seven categories and classified the trust factors into these categories (see Table Table11).
The Darknet Explained
The darknet is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It requires specific software, such as Tor, to access these hidden sites. Here are some key aspects:
These websites also sell significant amounts of psychedelic drugs, opioids and other prescription medications. The value of these markets was estimated by the UNODC in September of 2018 to stand at $14 million (£11 million) to $25 million (£20 million) per month – a tiny fraction of overall illicit drug sales. Still, the EU has funded a three-year, €5 million (£4.5 million) project, project, TITANIUM, with the aim of de-anonymising criminal bitcoin users and providing “court-proof” evidence of underground market activity. According to Mr Martin, the drug trade may be experiencing the equivalent of the online retail boom of the 1990s, when department stores downplayed the threat posed by insurgent e-tailers. Those department stores have since built websites of their own—or gone out of business.
- Anonymity: Users can browse and purchase without revealing their identity.
- Variety: A wide array of drugs, from prescription medications to illicit substances, can be found.
- Payment Methods: Transactions often use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to maintain privacy.
Ranking Potentially Harmful Tor Hidden Services: Illicit Drugs Perspective
Why Do People Buy Drugs on the Darknet?
There are several reasons why individuals might choose to buy drugs on the darknet:
- Accessibility: Hard-to-find drugs may be more readily available online.
- Privacy: Users may feel more comfortable purchasing in secrecy.
- Pricing: Some users find lower prices compared to local dealers.
- Variety: Access to a wider range of substances than what is typically available in their area.
Legal Risks
Purchasing illegal substances online poses significant legal risks:
- Criminal Charges: Buyers can face serious legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment.
- Surveillance: Law enforcement agencies monitor darknet activities.
- Forfeiture: Assets acquired through illegal means can be seized.
Health Risks
In addition to legal issues, there are severe health risks associated with buying drugs on the darknet:
- Unregulated Products: The quality and purity of drugs can vary widely.
- Risk of Overdose: Users may not be aware of the potency.
- Dangerous Substitutes: Some substances may be laced with harmful chemicals.
FAQ
What should I know before attempting to buy drugs on the darknet?
Understand the legal and health risks involved, and be aware that what you buy may not be safe or legitimate.
Is it safe to buy drugs on the darknet?
No, it is not safe. There are risks of fraud, legal consequences, and severe health issues.
Can I get caught if I buy drugs on the darknet?
Yes, law enforcement agencies actively monitor darknet activities and have made numerous arrests.
Conclusion
While the allure of buying drugs on the darknet may seem appealing due to anonymity and accessibility, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Understanding these dangers can help individuals make informed decisions and prioritize their health and safety.
