The dark web was given a little less dark: The biggest dark web market in the global has been taken offline.
As mentioned by Bleeping computer, due to a successful operation to seize its servers, German police have been able to take down Hydra market, the main darknet platform that became popular via promoting pills, further offering beneficial cash-laundering services.
For reference, the dark web can be utilized via using unique browsers and VPNs to access and buy illegal services in the form of cybercrimes, including fraud, identification theft, and malware programs.
When the services being sought involve drugs and money laundering especially, even though, the capability payout can result in a monetary windfall that generates billions of dollars. Working example: Germany’s cybercrime and crook police divisions said that Hydra market acquired around $1.35 billion in 2020 for its offerings.
The police also confirmed it determined 543 bitcoins in Hydra’s ownership. At current market charges, that’s around $25 million. Still, a small drop in the bucket in comparison to the $1 billion-plus it controlled to make within a year.
Although Hydra primarily offered drugs and cash laundering offerings, it also offered stolen databases and solid files. Moreover, people could acquire access to its hacking-for-hire offerings as well.
The Hydra dark internet marketplace was home to 19,000 registered supplier debts. In total, the consumer base reached at least 17 million people, according to Bleeping Computer.
Read More: Telegram the ‘New Dark Web’ for Cybercriminals Trading in Data, Study Finds
Crypto-related cybercrimes on the rise
Before Hydra, the most important player in the dark web marketplace area was the notorious Silk Road, which was taken offline in 2013.
If it existed nowadays and was able to prevent by authorities given that its inception in 2011, it wouldn’t be some distance-fetched to assume on the carrier could be generating countless billions in terms of turnover, especially because its bottom line would have been boosted by the emergence of crypto-associated cyber crimes.
In 2021 alone, cryptocurrency crimes ended in $1.6 billion being stolen from individuals.
In some other places, the U.S. government made their crypto-associated seizure currently, that’s stated to be “one of the largest ever bought by the United States concerning cryptocurrencies.” According to Bitcoinist, the feds were able to get around $34 million in cryptocurrency from a Florida resident. He allegedly makes use of the dark web to “promote Netflix, HBO, and Uber account statistics, among other popular services.”
