The escrow system used in darknet markets provides an additional technical guarantee of payment security by depositing the price of the ordered product and releasing it upon receipt if both the vendor and the customer agree (Moeller, 2022). This factor was measured only as an element of guarantees, but its relevance would justify its examination as a separate trust factor if the survey would be conducted among actual darknet market users. Similarly, the emphasis on the number of transactions a given vendor completes in recent literature (Munksgaard et al., 2022) could justify adding a dedicated factor measuring its importance. Regarding policy implications, the findings suggest that emphasizing the risks that consumers are exposed to concerning theft, fraud, fake sites, and products could facilitate crime prevention.
Understanding the Risks and Legalities
Verbowski admitted using cryptocurrency and cash from October 2019 to August 30, 2021 to buy bulk quantities of counterfeit generic alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug, and other prescription pills and resell them. Verbowski’s source bought drug ingredients from China and used a pill press and stamps to mimic the pill markings used by manufacturers licensed and approved by the U.S. The supplier then shipped the pills to post office boxes Verbowski opened using aliases. Data suggests that almost 40 percent of the revenue from drug sales on the dark web is from marijuana.
In recent years, the dark web has garnered attention for its use in illicit activities, including the illegal trade of substances. How to buy drugs from the dark web is a question that many may consider, but it’s essential to understand the inherent risks and legal implications involved.
With a renewed focus on Fentanyl-related deaths among young people, we are now seeing the drug epidemic move to social media and many parents have no clue it’s happening. FOX 5’s Jacqueline Matter sat down with an expert to find out what parents need to know about the secret exchange of drugs on social media platforms. The dark web may be safe in some cases—think legitimate content—and not in others. Only about 6.7% of global users use the dark web for malicious purposes, but it’s smart to be selective about the websites you access. When data breaches happen, your information can end up for sale on the dark web — which is why specialized software features like Norton 360 Deluxe Dark Web Monitoring are invaluable when it comes to protecting your identity online.
And it’s this that is possibly the most interesting aspect of the story. “What we’re doing isn’t about scoring drugs or ‘sticking it to the man’,” said Dread Pirate Roberts in the Forbes interview. “It’s about standing up for our rights as human beings and refusing to submit when we’ve done no wrong.” “It is similar to an organised crime approach that happens in real world crime networks. But really, it could be anyone who has a good knowledge of technology,” he said.
Legal Risks
In fact, online drug markets have only gotten bigger, in both volume and variety, since the fall of Silk Road in 2013, despite countless high-profile busts and scams. Now you can find pretty much anything you’re looking for, even if you’re never really sure who you’re dealing with on the other side. However, the constant shutdowns of these marketplaces and the difficulty to lure big numbers to the dark web has meant that criminal enterprises have had to think differently about how they reach their markets.
Purchasing drugs from the dark web is illegal in most jurisdictions. Engaging in such activities can lead to serious legal consequences, including:
- Criminal charges, potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment.
- Seizure of assets, including funds used to purchase drugs.
- A permanent criminal record, affecting future opportunities.
The deep web is massive; it is estimated to represent 90 to 95 per cent of all the content online. Data released by Global Drug Survey in 2021 found that in the previous year, the percentage of people who buy drugs on the dark web had tripled since 2014 and exploded in 2020, likely in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. Imagine your online activity as something akin to walking through the labyrinthine streets of a city. It’s the biggest international operation targeting this kind of traffic happening on the darkest corners of the Internet – the ones most people never dwell on, and many don’t even know how to reach. Many people who use drugs regularly do not think that far ahead, especially in terms of how long their stash is going to last.
The prospect of solving illegal drug purchasing’s safety problem via online purchase seems pretty tempting. Canadian software engineer Marie, on the other hand, never even bothered with offline purchasing. Her decision to begin buying drugs online came at an extraordinarily trying time in her life, in 2016. She’d just escaped an abusive relationship and lost most of her support network in the process.
Personal Risks
- Either way, it can be extremely risky for anyone to attempt to purchase controlled substances or unapproved drugs from the internet.
- Similarly, the emphasis on the number of transactions a given vendor completes in recent literature (Munksgaard et al., 2022) could justify adding a dedicated factor measuring its importance.
- About a dozen of the site’s top drug dealers were arrested soon after the takeover, others are still under investigation.
Beyond legal ramifications, there are numerous personal risks to consider when exploring how to buy drugs from the dark web:
- Fraud: Numerous scams exist, where users may lose money without receiving any product.
- Unknown purity and potency: Drugs obtained from unregulated sources can be contaminated or mislabeled, leading to dangerous outcomes.
- Exposure to law enforcement: Making a purchase could bring unwanted attention from authorities tracking illegal activities online.
How the Dark Web Works
The dark web is a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines. It requires specific software, such as Tor, to access. Here’s how it generally works:
- Download the Tor Browser, which allows users to surf the web anonymously.
- Access dark web markets through specific URLs that are not found on standard search engines.
- Create an account on a marketplace, often requiring the use of cryptocurrencies for transactions.
- Browse listings to find drugs or other illicit products.
- Complete the transaction, including providing a delivery address or using alternative methods for receiving the product.
Using Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency is the preferred payment method on the dark web due to its anonymity. Here are some commonly used currencies:
- Bitcoin: The most popular and widely accepted cryptocurrency.
- Monero: Known for its enhanced privacy features, making transactions harder to trace.
- Ethereum: Another option that offers smart contract capabilities, though less anonymous than Monero.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy drugs from the dark web?
The safety of buying drugs from the dark web is questionable at best. There’s a high risk of scams, legal consequences, and health dangers due to unregulated substances.
What should I know before attempting to buy drugs online?
- Understand the laws in your country or region.
- Be aware of the risks involved, both legally and personally.
- Consider the health implications of consuming unregulated substances.
Can I get arrested for just browsing the dark web?
Security
While merely browsing the dark web may not necessarily lead to arrest, engaging in illegal activities, such as purchasing drugs, increases the risk significantly.
Conclusion
While the dark web may seem like an attractive option for purchasing drugs, the myriad of legal, personal, and health risks associated with it make it a dangerous choice. It’s crucial to weigh these risks carefully before considering any action related to how to buy drugs from the dark web.
