dark web sites Archives - The News Max https://www.thenewsmax.co/tag/dark-web-sites/ My WordPress Blog Fri, 19 Jan 2024 00:07:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://www.thenewsmax.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cropped-NMAX-32x32.png dark web sites Archives - The News Max https://www.thenewsmax.co/tag/dark-web-sites/ 32 32 4 Largest Darkmarket Link Errors You’ll be able to Easily Keep away from https://www.thenewsmax.co/4-largest-darkmarket-link-errors-youll-be-able-to-easily-keep-away-from/ Fri, 19 Jan 2024 00:07:33 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=34886 In recent years, darknet markets have become a hot topic of discussion and intrigue. Operating on the hidden corners of the internet, these online bazaars have revolutionized the way illegal goods and services are bought and sold. Despite efforts to crack down on these underground markets, they continue to thrive, attracting users through enhanced privacy [...]

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In recent years, darknet markets have become a hot topic of discussion and intrigue. Operating on the hidden corners of the internet, these online bazaars have revolutionized the way illegal goods and services are bought and sold. Despite efforts to crack down on these underground markets, they continue to thrive, attracting users through enhanced privacy and a wide variety of offerings, ranging from drugs and weapons to counterfeit documents and stolen data.

What exactly are darknet market markets? In simple terms, they are encrypted websites accessible only through specific software, such as Tor, which allows users to browse the internet anonymously. This anonymity, along with the use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to conduct transactions, provides a shield for both buyers and sellers.

The allure of darknet market markets lies in their ability to facilitate transactions that would otherwise be illegal or difficult to obtain in the real world. While it is true that many individuals use these platforms for nefarious purposes, it is essential to acknowledge that not all listings and trades within these markets are illegal. Ethical hackers, for example, may utilize the services available on darknet markets to test the security of systems with the consent of the owners.

However, the darknet’s reputation is largely shaped by the sales of illegal substances, like drugs, which dominate these marketplaces. The drug trade on darknet markets has undoubtedly become a significant concern for law enforcement agencies worldwide. However, due to the elusive nature of these platforms and the encryption techniques employed, authorities face significant challenges when trying to shut them down.

Despite the hurdles faced by law enforcement, efforts have been made to curb the growth of darknet market markets. Several high-profile operations, such as Silk Road and AlphaBay, have been successfully shut down. While this may temporarily disrupt the illicit trade, new marketplaces quickly emerge to take their place.

One of the persistent concerns surrounding darknet markets is the potential harm they pose to society. The easy accessibility and relative anonymity make these platforms appealing to both seasoned criminals and those with no prior involvement in illegal activities. Additionally, the unregulated sale of drugs and other illicit goods raises public health and safety issues, as the quality and safety of products cannot be guaranteed.

However, it is worth noting that darknet markets do serve a purpose that goes beyond illegal trade. Whistleblowers, journalists, and individuals living under repressive regimes often use these platforms to communicate and share information anonymously, exposing corruption and human rights abuses.

As this hidden realm evolves, calls for regulation and oversight of darknet markets have grown louder. Proponents argue that a controlled and regulated environment could reduce the risks associated with these platforms, enabling users to access goods and services while minimizing the potential harm to individuals and society.

In conclusion, darknet market markets continue to push the boundaries of the internet and darknet market pose significant challenges to law enforcement agencies worldwide. While their notoriety often stems from illegal activities, there are legitimate uses for these platforms as well. As society grapples with the complexities of these underground marketplaces, dark web market urls finding a balance between regulating illicit trade and protecting individual privacy remains a pressing challenge.

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5 Reasons why Having An excellent Dark Markets 2024 Isn’t Enough https://www.thenewsmax.co/5-reasons-why-having-an-excellent-dark-markets-2024-isnt-enough/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 03:04:06 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=28166 In the vast realm of the internet, an unseen world exists, hidden from the prying eyes of authorities and the general public. This is the darknet market, a portion of the internet that is intentionally hidden and inaccessible to conventional search engines. While often associated with illicit activities, such as drug and weapon trafficking, the [...]

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In the vast realm of the internet, an unseen world exists, hidden from the prying eyes of authorities and the general public. This is the darknet market, a portion of the internet that is intentionally hidden and inaccessible to conventional search engines. While often associated with illicit activities, such as drug and weapon trafficking, the darknet also encompasses various legal and legitimate activities. One of the most intriguing aspects of the darknet is its hidden marketplaces, commonly known as darknet markets.

Darknet markets are online platforms that operate within the darknet market, facilitating anonymous transactions between buyers and sellers. These markets utilize encrypted networks, such as Tor, to maintain user anonymity, making it increasingly difficult for law enforcement to trace illicit activities. Consequently, they have become a breeding ground for all types of products and services, darkmarkets both legal and illegal.

First and foremost, darknet markets are notorious for their role in the drug trade. With the anonymity and encrypted communication they provide, buyers and sellers can conduct transactions without fear of legal repercussions. The variety of drugs available on these platforms is staggering, ranging from cannabis and prescription medications to synthetic drugs and even more potent substances. This easy access to drugs has raised concerns about public health and safety, as it becomes difficult to regulate and control the flow of substances within society.

Aside from drugs, darknet markets offer a plethora of other illegal merchandise, including counterfeit goods, stolen data, hacking tools, and weapons. On these platforms, anyone with connections can easily obtain fake passports, identity documents, and even credit card information. Additionally, cybercriminals and hackers frequent these markets to purchase exploit kits, malware, and other tools that can be used for illegal activities such as hacking into computer systems or launching cyberattacks.

While darknet market markets are often associated with illegal activities, it is important to note that not all transactions conducted in these spaces are illicit. Some individuals utilize these platforms for privacy reasons, seeking anonymity in legitimate purchases. Whistleblowers, journalists, and individuals living in oppressive regimes may find solace in the darknet markets, as they can purchase products without fear of their identities being compromised.

Furthermore, some darknet markets operate within the bounds of the law, offering various legal services and products. Examples of these include encrypted communication services, anonymous web hosting services, privacy-oriented cryptocurrencies, and even fundamental human rights tools like censorship-resistant technologies. These platforms cater to individuals concerned about their privacy and security, offering legal alternatives to conventional online marketplaces.

Darknet markets undoubtedly present a complex issue for society, as their existence blurs the lines between legitimate and criminal activities. While the illegal trade on these platforms deserves attention due to its potential harm to society, it is equally important to understand that the darknet markets links has multiple facets. Its existence serves as a reminder of the demand for privacy, the need for online security, and the significance of finding a balance between regulation and personal freedom.

As technology continues to evolve, the future of darknet market markets remains uncertain. Law enforcement agencies are constantly working to infiltrate and shut down these platforms, and legislative actions are being pursued to curb their influence. However, as long as there is a demand for secrecy and anonymity, the darknet market markets will continue to evolve, adapt, and find ways to survive within the deep recesses of the invisible world that is the darknet.

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10 Highly effective Suggestions That will help you Darknet Markets Url Higher https://www.thenewsmax.co/10-highly-effective-suggestions-that-will-help-you-darknet-markets-url-higher/ Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:04:23 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=27982 The rise of the internet has not only revolutionized the way we communicate and access information but has also given birth to a hidden world known as the darknet. Beyond the reach of traditional search engines, the darknet is an encrypted network of websites accessible only through specialized software like Tor. It hosts a multitude [...]

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The rise of the internet has not only revolutionized the way we communicate and access information but has also given birth to a hidden world known as the darknet. Beyond the reach of traditional search engines, the darknet is an encrypted network of websites accessible only through specialized software like Tor. It hosts a multitude of illicit activities, including one of its most infamous features: darknet markets.

Darknet markets, also known as cryptomarkets, are online platforms that facilitate anonymous transactions for a wide range of illegal goods and services. These marketplaces offer a variety of products, including drugs, counterfeit documents, stolen data, weapons, hacking tools, and even hitman services. Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms, darknet markets operate in the shadows, allowing users to buy and sell goods anonymously using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

One of the most well-known darknet markets was Silk Road, launched in 2011 by Ross Ulbricht, aka “Dread Pirate Roberts.” Silk Road gained notoriety for being the first truly successful darknet market, giving users access to drugs and other illicit items. Despite Ulbricht’s capture and the subsequent shutdown of Silk Road by the FBI, the concept of darknet markets had already taken root, leading to the emergence of countless successors.

While the existence of these markets raises serious ethical and legal concerns, proponents argue that darknet markets provide individuals with an opportunity to exercise their freedom of choice, especially regarding substances like drugs. They claim that a regulated marketplace can ensure safer transactions, reduce violence associated with the illegal drug trade, and provide quality control to protect users from dangerous or contaminated substances.

Additionally, darknet markets have also played a role in fostering whistleblower initiatives and leaking sensitive information. Leaks like those of WikiLeaks have shed light on government and darkmarket corporate misconduct, bringing crucial issues to the public’s attention. This aspect of darknet markets, often labeled as hacktivism, raises interesting debates regarding the balance between security, privacy, and transparency in modern society.

However, the darknet market world is not devoid of dangers. It is plagued by scams, fraud, and an inherent lack of trust. As users operate under pseudonyms, darknet market it becomes challenging to ensure the credibility and reliability of vendors. Furthermore, the anonymous nature of transactions attracts criminal elements, potentially fueling money laundering, identity theft, and the distribution of illegal materials.

Law enforcement agencies worldwide have taken steps to combat the proliferation of darknet markets. Agencies like the FBI and Interpol have successfully closed down several prominent markets and arrested key individuals. Nonetheless, these actions have only led to the rise of alternative platforms, showcasing the agility of this hidden online world.

In recent years, darknet markets have also seen a paradigm shift with the increasing use of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin, in particular, has become the go-to currency due to its decentralized nature and anonymity features. This has further complicated efforts by authorities to curb illegal activities in these markets, as the use of cryptocurrencies can obscure financial trails and make it harder to trace transactions.

Darknet markets exist as a consequence of the limitations and flaws of our traditional systems. While they provide an alternative realm where individuals can engage in illicit trade, the ethical implications and the danger they pose cannot be ignored. Striking a balance between privacy, safety, darknet markets 2024 and the rule of law is a complex issue that society and regulators must address moving forward.

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A timeline of the biggest ransomware attacks https://www.thenewsmax.co/a-timeline-of-the-biggest-ransomware-attacks-9/ Sat, 06 Jan 2024 23:04:16 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=27063 id=”article-body” class=”row” section=”article-body” data-component=”trackCWV”> The history of technology is riddled with unintended consequences. As William Gibson wrote in Burning Chrome, “…the street finds its own uses for things.” Though Bitcoin may not have been originally conceived as a medium for ransom payments, it’s quickly become a central tool for online criminals. Ransomware, a category of [...]

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The history of technology is riddled with unintended consequences. As William Gibson wrote in Burning Chrome, “…the street finds its own uses for things.” Though Bitcoin may not have been originally conceived as a medium for ransom payments, it’s quickly become a central tool for online criminals.

Ransomware, a category of “,” blocks access to a computer or dark web market web darknet market list network until a ransom is paid. Despite the evolving efforts of governments to  and , the attacks keep coming. 

Cryptocurrency ransomware payments totaled roughly $350 million in 2020,  — an annual increase of over 300% from 2019. And because US companies are legally required to report cyberattacks only if customers’  is compromised, that estimate may be far too conservative.

Read more: 

Below, we tally up the damage of some of the highest-profile episodes.

Kaseya (2021)

On July 2, 2021, Kaseya announced its systems had been . Kaseya provides IT solutions for other companies — an ideal target which, in a domino effect, ended up impacting approximately in multiple countries. REvil, a cybercriminal outfit, claimed responsibility for the attack and demanded ransoms ranging from a few thousand dollars to multiple millions, . 

It’s unclear how many individual businesses paid up, but REvil demanded from Kaseya. Kaseya declined to pay, opting to cooperate with the FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency. On July 21, 2021, Kaseya a universal decryptor key and distributed it to organizations impacted by the attack.

JBS (2021)

On May 31, 2021, JBS USA, one of the largest meat suppliers in the US,  a hack that caused it to temporarily halt operations at its five largest US-based plants. The ransomware attack also disrupted the company’s Australia and UK operations. JBS paid the hackers an in Bitcoin to prevent further disruption and limit the impact on grocery stores and restaurants. The the hack to REvil, a sophisticated criminal ring well-known in ransomware attacks. 

Colonial Pipeline (2021)

On May 7, 2021, America’s largest “refined products” pipeline after a hacking group called Darkside infiltrated it with ransomware. Colonial Pipeline covers over 5,500 miles and transports more than 100 million gallons of fuel daily. The impact of the attack was significant: In the days that followed, the average price of a gallon of gas in the US increased to more than $3 for  as drivers rushed to the pumps. 

The pipeline operator said it paid the hackers $4.4 million in cryptocurrency. On June 7, 2021, the DOJ announced it had  part of the ransom. US law enforcement officials were able to track the payment and darknet markets links take back $2.3 million using a private key for a cryptocurrency wallet.

Brenntag (2021)

On April 28, 2021, German chemical distributor learned it was the target of a cyberattack by Darkside, which stole 150GB of data that it threatened to leak if ransom demands weren’t met. After negotiating with the criminals, Brenntag ended up negotiating the original ransom of $7.5 million down to , which it paid on May 11.

CNA Financial (2021)

On March 23, 2021, CNA Financial, the commercial insurer in the US, it had “sustained a sophisticated cybersecurity attack.” The attack was by a group called Phoenix, which used ransomware known as Phoenix Locker. CNA Financial eventually paid in May to get the data back. While CNA has been tight-lipped on the details of the negotiation and transaction, but says all of its systems have since been fully restored. 

CWT (2020)

On July 31, 2020, US business travel management firm CWT disclosed it had been impacted by a  that infected its systems — and that it had paid the ransom. Using ransomware called Ragnar Locker, the assailants claimed to have stolen sensitive corporate files and knocked 30,000 company computers offline. 

As a service provider to of S&P 500 companies, the data release could have been disastrous for CWT’s business. As such, the company paid the hackers about $4.5 million on July 28, a few days before Reuters the incident. 

University of California at San Francisco (2020)

On June 3, 2020, the University of California at San Francisco that the UCSF School of Medicine’s IT systems had been compromised by a hacking collective called Netwalker on June 1. The medical research institution had been working on a cure for COVID.

Apparently, Netwalker had researched UCFS, hoping to gain insights into its finances. Citing the billions of dollars UCFS reports in annual revenue, Netwalker demanded a $3 million ransom payment. After negotiations, Netwalker the bitcoin equivalent of $1,140,895 to resolve the cyberattack. According to the BBC, Netwalker was also identified as the culprit in at least two other 2020 ransomware attacks targeting universities. 

Travelex (2019)

On New Year’s Eve 2019, darknet market markets 2024 London-based foreign currency exchange Travelex was by a ransomware group called Sodinokibi (aka REvil). The attackers made off with 5GB of customer data, including dates of birth, credit card information, and insurance details. Travelex took down its website in 30 countries in an attempt to contain the virus.

In the wake of the ransomware attack, Travelex struggled with customer services. Sodinokibi initially demanded a payment of $6 million (£4.6 million). After negotiations, Travelex paid the cybercriminals  (285 BTC at the time, roughly £1.6 million) to get its data back.

WannaCry (2017)

In May 2017, a ransomware called infected computers across the globe by exploiting a vulnerability in Windows PCs. The WannaCry vulnerability was revealed during a massive leak of NSA documents and hacking tools engineered by a group called Shadow Brokers in . 

Though the exact number of WannaCry victims remains unknown,  around the world were infected. Victims included Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica and thousands of hospitals in the UK. Computer systems in 150 countries were affected by the attack, with a total estimated loss of around $4 billion globally.

The attackers initially demanded to unlock infected computer systems. The demand was later increased to $600 in bitcoin. However, some researchers claim that no one got their data back, even if they met the demands.

WannaCry attacks to this day. In February 2021, the DOJ  three North Korean computer programmers for their alleged role in the WannaCry outbreak.

Locky (2016)

Discovered in February 2016, Locky is notable due to the incredibly high number of infection attempts it’s made on computer networks. Attacks typically come in the form of an email with an invoice attached from someone claiming to be a company employee. On February 16, 2016 identified more than 50,000 Locky attacks in one day. 

Locky has , but the goal is largely the same: Lock computer files to entice owners to pay a ransom in cryptocurrency in exchange for a decryption tool, which would allow users to regain access to their locked files. The majority of Locky victims have been in the US, and , but Canada and France experienced significant infection rates as well. 

TeslaCrypt (2015)

 an earlier program called CryptoLocker, the earliest TeslaCrypt samples were circulated in November 2014 but the ransomware was not widely distributed until March of the following year.

TeslaCrypt initially targeted gamers. After infecting a computer, a pop-up would direct a user to pay a for a decryption key to unlock the infected system. report the requested ransoms ranged from $250 to $1000 in Bitcoin. In May 2016, the developers of TeslaCrypt a master decryption key for affected users to unlock their computers.

CryptoWall (2014)

Widespread reports of computer systems infected from the CryptoWall ransomware emerged in 2014. Infected computers were unable to access files — unless the owner paid for access to a decryption program. impacted systems across the globe. The attackers demanded payment in the form of prepaid cards or bitcoin. CryptoWall caused roughly $18 million in damages, . Multiple versions of CryptoWall were released, with each version making the ransomware more difficult to trace and combat.

CryptoLocker (2013)

The first time much of the world heard the term “ransomware” was during 2013’s outbreak. Discovered early in September 2013, CryptoLocker would cripple more than 250,000 computer systems during the following four months. Victims were instructed to send payments in cryptocurrency or money cards to regain access. The ransomware delivered at least  to its perpetrators. 

A in 2014 succeeded in taking down the Gameover ZeuS botnet, which was a primary distribution method for CryptoLocker. The DOJ indicted Russian hacker Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev, as the botnet’s ringleader. Bogachev is still at large — and darkmarket url the FBI is currently  of up to $3 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. 

AIDS Trojan/PC Cyborg (1989)

Widely considered the template for all subsequent attacks, the AIDS Trojan (aka PC Cyborg) is the  of a ransomware attack. In 1989, more than a decade before the creation of bitcoin, a biologist named Joseph Popp distributed 20,000 floppy disks at the World Health Organization AIDS conference in Stockholm. The floppy disks were labeled “AIDS Information – Introductory Diskettes” and contained a trojan virus that installed itself on MS-DOS systems.

Once the virus was on a computer, it counted the times the computer booted up. Once the computer booted up 90 times, hid all directories and encrypted filenames. An image on the screen from the ‘PC Cyborg Corporation’ directed users to mail $189 to a PO address in Panama. The decryption process was relatively simple, however, and security researchers released a free tool to help victims.

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One-third of the people reading this are thieves https://www.thenewsmax.co/one-third-of-the-people-reading-this-are-thieves-3/ Sat, 06 Jan 2024 23:04:15 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=27058 id=”article-body” class=”row” section=”article-body” data-component=”trackCWV”> At least, darkmarket that’s what a . Why? Because 36.4% of the 1.66 million computers survey had LimeWire, a popular peer-to-peer (P2P) program installed. Guilty by association? I have LimeWire installed on my Mac. This doesn’t make me a thief. In fact, I’ve bought a wide range of music through iTunes [...]

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At least, darkmarket that’s what a . Why? Because 36.4% of the 1.66 million computers survey had LimeWire, a popular peer-to-peer (P2P) program installed. Guilty by association?

I have LimeWire installed on my Mac. This doesn’t make me a thief. In fact, I’ve bought a wide range of music through iTunes over the past year. I think I’ve downloaded one or two songs and a few goal compilations using LimeWire in the past year when I couldn’t find them on iTunes. The songs in question – by Led Zeppelin – I ended up buying (again, as I’d already bought them once or twice on CD and cassette tape) when they became available on iTunes.

So, 99.999% of the music I’ve listened to in the past year was happily bought through legitimate means. .001% was not. At least, not originally. Am I a thief? I suppose so. But not by any devious plan. I imagine that I’m not alone in how I consume music.

But maybe as a 30-something geezer, darknet market lists I’m atypical. Maybe everyone does want to steal music, as the music industry seems to believe. If this is the case, , dark web darknet market urls charging more per song does not sound like a winning resolution to the problem:

Clearly, the so-called “darknet market” remains far and away the world’s leading provider of online media content, drowning legit download services in a flood of “free.” This data also should give the major labels pause in their ongoing attempts to convince Apple that $0.99 per song is way too cheap.

The music industry . It resisted the digital urge for so long that it helped to push people to steal rather than purchase music. I think it’s in an intermediate quandary, but one that will fade as more and more people get used to the idea for buying digital music, whether through iTunes (or other online markets), ringtones, dark web market list or other means.

The music industry can take solace in the discovery that certain demographics are more likely to buy music than others: , for one, but also older users. , but once they graduate…more disposable income and more propensity to pay for value.

In sum, the music industry can use Simon and Garfunkel to subsidize Britney Spears. Take heart: thieves eventually grow up to become corporate drones with cash to burn and the inclination to do so in legitimate ways.

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Judge rejects plea deal for darknet child porn purveyor https://www.thenewsmax.co/judge-rejects-plea-deal-for-darknet-child-porn-purveyor-3/ Sat, 06 Jan 2024 17:04:14 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=26743 COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) – A federal judge rejected a plea agreement on Wednesday that called for 15 to 21 years in prison for a man authorities described as the world´s largest purveyor of child pornography. Eric Eoin Marques is entitled to withdraw his guilty plea from last year if the judge departs from the [...]

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) – A federal judge rejected a plea agreement on Wednesday that called for 15 to 21 years in prison for a man authorities described as the world´s largest purveyor of child pornography.

Eric Eoin Marques is entitled to withdraw his guilty plea from last year if the judge departs from the sentencing range prosecutors and defense attorneys recommended.

But U.S.

District Judge Theodore Chuang isn’t bound by the terms of the Justice Department´s plea deal.

“It’s too flawed, and I also don’t agree with the outcome,” Chuang said.

The judge said he’s inclined to give Marques a longer sentence for darknet market markets onion address operating a dark web sites hosting service that enabled users to anonymously access millions of illicit images and videos, many depicting the rape and torture of infants and toddlers.

The judge criticized a provision of the plea deal that wouldn’t give Marques credit for six years he spent in custody in Ireland while fighting extradition after his 2013 arrest in Dublin. Chuang said he can’t tell the federal Bureau of Prisons to refrain from counting those years when Marques likely is entitled to get credit for that time.

The judge said he isn’t prepared to impose a sentence of 15 to 21 years if Marques does get credit for those six years.

“I want a sentence higher than that,” Chuang added.

“It’s not going to be 21 minus 6 to 15. That’s not going to happen. I don’t have to follow what you all did. It’s clear neither of you really understood what you were doing.”

Chuang also expressed frustration that prosecutors and defense lawyers still couldn’t agree on certain facts of the case even after spelling them out in writing as part of the deal.

“I certainly think the process was such that I shouldn’t defer to the parties’ agreement when I’m not sure they really thought it out that carefully,” he said.

Defense attorney Brendan Hurson told the judge that his remarks give them a “platform to negotiate further.”

“If we can’t get somewhere, then we would ask for some time to set a trial date,” Hurson said.

Chuang instructed the attorneys to provide him with a status report by June 25.

Marques, a 35-year-old dual citizen of the U.S.

and Ireland, darknet sites was extradited to Maryland darknet market magazine in March 2019, and pleaded guilty in February 2020 to conspiracy to advertise child pornography. He faced a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison before the plea deal.

Marques created and operated a free, anonymous web hosting service, called “Freedom Hosting,” on the darknet market between 2008 and darknet markets url 2013.

The darknet market is part of the internet but hosted within an encrypted network. It is accessible only through anonymity-providing tools, such as the Tor browser, and allows users to access websites without revealing their IP addresses.

Marques´ attorneys have questioned how federal investigators were able to pierce the Tor network´s anonymity and trace the IP address of the server to a web hosting company in Roubaix, France.

“This anonymity is notoriously difficult for government investigators to penetrate,” they wrote.

Defense attorneys said they received an initial answer to that question when the government revealed “vague details” of how they discovered the IP address and location of the server.
“It appears that this disclosure was delayed, in part, because the investigative techniques employed were, until recently, classified,” they wrote in December 2019.

Investigators found what appeared to be more than 8.5 million images and videos of child pornography on the Freedom Hosting server, including nearly 2 million images that were new to authorities, according to a court filing that accompanied Marques’ guilty plea.

Marques was living in Ireland at the time of the offenses.

He used the encrypted server in France to host more than 200 websites that site administrators and users used to upload and download child pornography.

In 2013, FBI agents in Maryland connected to the network and accessed a child pornography bulletin board with more than 7,700 members and more than 22,000 posts.
Agents downloaded more than 1 million files from another website on the network, nearly all of which depicted sexually explicit images of children.

In July 2013, Irish authorities searched Marques’ home and vehicle and detained him. When investigators entered his home, Marques moved toward his computer but was subdued before he could turn it off, authorities said.

After his release from custody, Marques purchased a new laptop and logged into his server to lock out the FBI and other law enforcement, the filing says.

Authorities seized nearly $155,000 in U.S.

currency from Marques. During an August 2013 extradition hearing, Marques said his business had been “very successful” and profitable.

In an April 28 court filing, a prosecutor said a government witness was prepared to testify at Wednesday’s sentencing hearing that law enforcement had identified Marques as the largest purveyor of child pornography in the world and that he made approximately $3.6 million in U.S.

currency from his servers.

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This version corrects that the judge set a June 25 deadline for a status report from attorneys, not a status conference for that date.

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Crypto money laundering rises 30% in 2021 -Chainalysis https://www.thenewsmax.co/crypto-money-laundering-rises-30-in-2021-chainalysis-5/ Sat, 06 Jan 2024 15:04:14 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=26671 By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Cybercriminals laundered $8.6 billion in cryptocurrencies last year, up 30% from 2020, darknet market lists according to a report from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis released on Wednesday. Overall, darknet market cybercriminals have laundered more than $33 billion worth of crypto since 2017, Chainalysis estimated, with most [...]

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By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss

NEW YORK, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Cybercriminals laundered $8.6 billion in cryptocurrencies last year, up 30% from 2020, darknet market lists according to a report from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis released on Wednesday.

Overall, darknet market cybercriminals have laundered more than $33 billion worth of crypto since 2017, Chainalysis estimated, with most of the total over time moving to centralized exchanges.

The firm said the sharp rise in money laundering activity in 2021 was not surprising, given the significant growth of both legitimate and illegal crypto activity last year.

Money laundering refers to that process of disguising the origin of illegally obtained money by transferring it to legitimate businesses.

About 17% of the $8.6 billion laundered went to decentralized finance applications, Chainalysis said, referring to the sector dark market list darknet market onion which facilitates crypto-denominated financial transactions outside of traditional banks.

That was up from 2% in 2020.

Mining pools, high-risk exchanges, and mixers also saw substantial increases in value received from illicit addresses, the report said.

Mixers typically combine potentially identifiable or tainted cryptocurrency funds with others, so as to conceal the trail to the fund’s original source.

Wallet addresses associated with theft sent just under half of their stolen funds, or more than $750 million worth of crypto in total, to decentralized finance platforms, according to the Chainalysis report.

Chainalysis also clarified that the $8.6 billion laundered last year represents funds derived from crypto-native crime such as darknet markets Url darknet market sales or ransomware attacks in which profits are in crypto instead of fiat currencies.

“It’s more difficult to measure how much fiat currency derived from off-line crime – traditional drug trafficking, for example – is converted into cryptocurrency to be laundered,” Chainalysis said in the report.

AlphaBay is Taking Over the Dark Web... Again

“However, we know anecdotally this is happening.” (Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

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The history of hacking ransoms and cryptocurrency https://www.thenewsmax.co/the-history-of-hacking-ransoms-and-cryptocurrency-7/ Sat, 06 Jan 2024 13:04:10 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=26561 id=”article-body” class=”row” section=”article-body” data-component=”trackCWV”> Earlier this month, hundreds of companies from the US to Sweden were entangled in the , a company that offers network infrastructure to businesses around the world. The Kaseya hack comes on the heels of other headline-grabbing cyberattacks like the  and the . In each instance, criminals had the opportunity to make off with [...]

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Earlier this month, hundreds of companies from the US to Sweden were entangled in the , a company that offers network infrastructure to businesses around the world.

The Kaseya hack comes on the heels of other headline-grabbing cyberattacks like the  and the . In each instance, criminals had the opportunity to make off with millions — and much of the ransoms were paid in Bitcoin.

“We have to remember the primary reason for creating Bitcoin in the first place was to provide anonymity and secure, trustless and borderless transaction capabilities,” says Keatron Evansprincipal security researcher at .

As Bitcoin grows more prominent in best darknet markets around the world, cybercrooks have found a vital tool to help them move illegal assets quickly and pseudonymously. And by all accounts, the attacks are only becoming more common. 

Ransomware on the rise

Ransomware is a cybercrime that involves ransoming personal and business data back to the owner of that data. 

First, a criminal hacks into a private network. The hack is accomplished through various tactics, including phishing, social engineering and preying upon users’ weak passwords.

Once network access is gained, the criminal locks important files within the network using encryption. The owner can’t access the files unless they pay a ransom. Nowadays, cybercriminals tend to request their ransoms in cryptocurrencies.

The FBI  ransomware attacks accounted for at least $144.35 million in Bitcoin ransoms from 2013 to 2019. 

These attacks are scalable and can be highly targeted or broad, ensnaring anyone who happens to click a link or install a particular software program. 

This allows a small team of cybercrooks to ransom data back to organizations of all sizes — and the tools needed to hack into a small business or darknet market links multinational cooperation are largely the same. 

Private citizens, darknet markets links businesses, and state and national governments have all fallen victim — and many decided to pay ransoms.

Today’s business world depends on computer networks to keep track of administrative and financial data. When that data disappears, it can be impossible for the organization to function properly. This provides a large incentive to pay up. 

Although victims of ransomware attacks are encouraged to report the crime to federal authorities, there’s no US law that says you have to report attacks (). Given this, there’s little authoritative data about the number of attacks or ransom payments. 

However, a recent study from Threatpost  only 20% of victims pay up. Whatever the actual number is, the FBI  against paying ransoms because there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the data back, and paying ransoms creates further incentive for ransomware attacks. 

Why do hackers like cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency provides a helpful ransom tool for cybercrooks. Rather than being an aberration or misuse, the ability to make anonymous (or pseudonymous) transfers is a  of cryptocurrency. 

“Bitcoin can be acquired fairly easily. It’s decentralized and readily 

available in almost any country,” says Koen Maris, a cybersecurity expert and advisory board member at IOTA Foundation.

Different cryptocurrencies feature different levels of anonymity. Some cryptocurrencies, like Monero and Zcash, specialize in confidentiality and may even provide a higher level of security than Bitcoin for cybercriminals. 

That’s because Bitcoin isn’t truly anonymous — it’s pseudonymous. Through careful detective work and analysis, it appears possible to trace and recoup Bitcoin used for ransoms, as the FBI  after the Colonial Pipeline hack. So Bitcoin isn’t necessarily used by ransomers simply because of security features. Bitcoin transfers are also fast, irreversible and easily verifiable. Once a ransomware victim has agreed to pay, the criminal can watch the transfer go through on the public blockchain. 

After the ransom is sent, it’s usually gone forever. Then crooks can either exchange the Bitcoin for another currency — crypto or fiat — or transfer the Bitcoin to another wallet for safekeeping. 

While it’s not clear exactly when or darkmarkets how Bitcoin became associated with ransomware, hackers, cybercrooks, and crypto-enthusiasts are all computer-savvy subcultures with a natural affinity for new tech, and Bitcoin was adopted for illicit activities online soon after its creation. One of Bitcoin’s first popular uses was currency for transactions on the dark web. The  was among the early marketplaces that accepted Bitcoin.

Financial impact

Ransomware is big business. Cybercriminals made off just under $350 million worth of cryptocurrency in ransomware attacks last year, . That’s an increase of over 300% in the amount of ransom payments from the year before. 

The COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for a surge in ransomware attacks. With vast tracts of the global workforce moving out of well-fortified corporate IT environments into home offices, cybercriminals had more surface area to attack than ever.

According to , the organizational changes needed to accommodate remote work opened up more businesses for cybercrime exploits, with Coalition’s policyholders reporting a 35% increase in funds transfer fraud and social engineering claims since the beginning of the pandemic.

It’s not just the number of attacks that is increasing, but the stakes, too. A  from Palo Alto Networks estimates that the average ransom paid in 2020 was over $300,000 — a year-over-year increase of more than 170%.

When an organization falls prey to cybercrime, the ransom is only one component of the financial cost. There are also remediation expenses — including lost orders, business downtime, consulting fees, and other unplanned expenses. 

The  report from Sophos found that the total cost of remediating a ransomware attack for a business averaged $1.85 million in 2021, up from $761,000 in 2020. 

Many companies now buy cyber insurance for financial protection. But as ransomware insurance claims increase, the insurance industry is also dealing with the fallout.

Globally, the price of cyber insurance has , according to a new report from Howden, an international insurance broker. The increase is likely due to the growing cost these attacks cause for insurance providers. 

A cyber insurance policy generally covers a business’s liability from a data breach, such as expenses (i.e., ransom payments) and legal fees. Some policies may also help with contacting the businesses customers who were affected by the breach and repairing damaged computer systems. 

Cyber insurance payouts now account for  of all premiums collected, which is the break-even point for the providers. 

“We noticed cyber insurers are paying ransom on behalf of their customers. That looks like a bad idea to me, as it will only lead to more ransom attacks,” says Maris. “Having said that, I fully understand the argument: the company either pays or it goes out of business. Only time will tell whether investing in ransom payments rather than in appropriate cybersecurity is a viable survival strategy.”

Early adopters

The AIDS Trojan, or PC Cyborg Trojan, is the first known ransomware attack. 

The attack began in 1989 when an AIDS researcher distributed thousands of copies of a floppy disk containing malware. When people used the floppy disk, it encrypted the computer’s files with a message that demanded a payment sent to a PO Box in Panama. 

Bitcoin wouldn’t come along until almost two decades later. 

In 2009, Bitcoin’s mysterious founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, created the blockchain network by mining the first block in the chain — the genesis block. 

Bitcoin was quickly adopted as the go-to currency for the dark market link web. While it’s unclear exactly when Bitcoin became popular in ransomware attacks, the 2013 CryptoLocker attack definitely put Bitcoin in the spotlight. 

CryptoLocker infected more than 250,000 computers over a few months. The criminals made off with about $3 million in Bitcoin and darkmarket link pre-paid vouchers. It took an internationally coordinated operation to take the ransomware offline in 2014.

Since then, Bitcoin has moved closer to the mainstream, and ransomware attacks have become much easier to carry out.

Early ransomware attackers generally had to develop malware programs themselves. Nowadays, ransomware can be bought as a service, just like other software. 

Ransomware-as-a-service allows criminals with little technical know-how to “rent” ransomware from a provider, which can be quickly employed against victims. Then if the job succeeds, the ransomware provider gets a cut. 

Future legislation

In light of the recent high-profile ransomware attacks, calls for new legislation are growing louder in Washington.

President Joe Biden issued an  in May “on improving the nation’s cybersecurity.” The order is geared toward strengthening the federal government’s response to cybercrime, and it looks like more legislation is on the way.

The  was recently introduced by a bipartisan group of senators. The bill aims to ramp up penalties for cyberattacks that impact critical infrastructure, dark web market links darknet market url so the Justice Department would have an easier time charging criminals in foreign countries under the new act.

States are also taking their own stands against cybercrime:  have proposed legislation to outlaw ransomware payments. North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas are all considering new laws that would outlaw taxpayer money from being used in ransom payments. New York’s law goes a step further and could outright ban private businesses from paying cybercrime ransoms. 

“I think the concept of what cryptocurrency is and how it works is something that most legislative bodies worldwide struggle with understanding,” says Evans. “It’s difficult to legislate what we don’t really understand.”

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Irish health system struggling to recover from cyberattack https://www.thenewsmax.co/irish-health-system-struggling-to-recover-from-cyberattack/ Sat, 06 Jan 2024 01:04:22 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=26033 LONDON (AP) – Ireland´s health system was still struggling to restore its computers and dark web markets treat patients on Tuesday, four days after it shut down its entire IT system in response to a cyberattack. Thousands of diagnostic appointments, cancer treatment clinics and surgeries have been canceled or delayed since a ransomware attack on [...]

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LONDON (AP) – Ireland´s health system was still struggling to restore its computers and dark web markets treat patients on Tuesday, four days after it shut down its entire IT system in response to a cyberattack.

Thousands of diagnostic appointments, cancer treatment clinics and surgeries have been canceled or delayed since a ransomware attack on Friday.
Authorities said hundreds of people have been deployed to tackle the attack, but it could be weeks before the health service can return to normal.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said Tuesday that the attack was a “heinous” one that targeted patients and “the Irish public.” Health Service Executive chief clinical officer Colm Henry said the attack had had “a profound impact on our ability to deliver care,” and that the disruptions would undoubtedly “mount in the coming days and weeks.”

More than 2,000 patient-facing IT systems are affected, with around 80,000 devices linked to such systems throughout the health service, Henry told Irish broadcaster RTE.

Authorities are prioritizing systems involving direct patient care diagnostics, tor drug darknet market such as radiology, radiotherapy and maternity and newborn services.

“That´s what our experts are focusing on this week, with external help, to ensure those services are not reliant on manual exchange of information,” he said.

Ransomware attacks are typically carried out by criminal hackers who scramble data, paralyzing victims´ networks, and demand a large payment to decrypt it.

Irish officials say a ransom has been demanded but they will not pay it.

Conti, a Russian-speaking ransomware group, darknet market list was demanding $20 million, according to the ransom negotiation page on its darknet site viewed by The Associated Press. The gang threatened Monday to “start publishing and selling your private information very soon” if the money was not paid.

“The government will not be paying any money,” Justice Minister Heather Humphreys told RTE.

“We will not be blackmailed.”

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine urged people not to turn up at hospitals’ emergency departments unless they have a genuinely urgent need to do so. It said that electronic ordering of blood tests, X-rays and scans is not available, dark web darknet market links and clinicians have no access to previous X-rays or scan results.
Many hospitals’ telephone systems are also not functioning because they are carried on computer networks, it added.

Patients have described their frustration about the attack, dark web market links describing it as another torment thrown into the already difficult struggle to face illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eimear Cregg, 38, a primary school teacher who is fighting breast cancer, had radiation therapy briefly postponed while doctors sought to restore her records so they could treat her properly.

“This is a very cruel thing to do to vulnerable people,´´ she told The Associated Press. “We´re fighting every day as it is and this was just another curve ball that wasn´t needed.´´

The Health Service Executive said in a statement late Monday that there were “serious concerns about the implications for patient care arising from the very limited access to diagnostics, lab services and historical patient records.”

The attack has also shut down the system used to pay health care workers.

The health service said it was working methodically to assess and restore its computer systems.

“Our priority is keeping our patients safe and maintaining essential care and support services,” it said.

Ransomware attacks are an increasing problem for private companies and public bodies around the world.

T he Thai affiliate of Paris-based insurance company AXA and a public health provider in New Zealand were both dealing with ransomware attacks on Tuesday.

In the U.S., the nation´s largest fuel pipeline was hit with a ransomware attack earlier this month.

The disruption of the Colonial Pipeline caused long lines at gas stations due to distribution problems and panic-buying, draining supplies at thousands of gas stations.

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'Crocodile of Wall Street' and husband are arrested in Bitcoin scheme https://www.thenewsmax.co/crocodile-of-wall-street-and-husband-are-arrested-in-bitcoin-scheme-2/ Sat, 06 Jan 2024 00:04:15 +0000 https://www.thenewsmax.co/?p=25988 A married couple has been arrested and charged with laundering billions in stolen during the 2016 Bitfinex hack, as the Justice Department announced its largest financial seizure ever.  Ilya ‘Dutch’ Lichtenstein, 34, and his wife, Heather Rhiannon Morgan, 31, who raps under the name Razzlekhan, dark market 2024 web darknet market urls were arrested on [...]

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A married couple has been arrested and charged with laundering billions in stolen during the 2016 Bitfinex hack, as the Justice Department announced its largest financial seizure ever. 

Ilya ‘Dutch’ Lichtenstein, 34, and his wife, Heather Rhiannon Morgan, 31, who raps under the name Razzlekhan, dark market 2024 web darknet market urls were arrested on Tuesday in Manhattan on federal charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Darkweb Vendor Tried Exit Scamming, But Dread Stopped Them

Federal law enforcement officials said they recovered roughly $3.6 billon in cryptocurrency linked to the hack of Bitfinex, a virtual currency exchange whose systems were breached nearly six years ago.  

Lichtenstein and Morgan live on Wall Street in lower Manhattan. He is a citizen of both  and the United States and the co-founder of an online marketing firm.

Morgan, a rapper and former Forbes contributor, describes herself as ‘an expert in persuasion, social engineering, and game theory’ and in one of her songs, declared herself the ‘Crocodile of Wall Street.’ 

Ilya 'Dutch' Lichtenstein, 34, and his wife, Heather Rhiannon Morgan, 31, who raps under the name Razzlekhan, were arrested on Tuesday in Manhattan on money laundering charges

Ilya ‘Dutch’ Lichtenstein, 34, and his wife, Heather Rhiannon Morgan, 31, who raps under the name Razzlekhan, were arrested on Tuesday in Manhattan on money laundering charges

Morgan (seen in front of Federal Hall on Wall Street in a music video) declared herself the 'Crocodile of Wall Street' in one of her rap songs

Morgan (seen in front of Federal Hall on Wall Street in a music video) declared herself the ‘Crocodile of Wall Street’ in one of her rap songs

In this courtroom sketch, attorney Sam Enzer, center, sits between Heather Morgan, left, and her husband, Ilya 'Dutch' Lichtenstein, in federal court on Tuesday

In this courtroom sketch, attorney Sam Enzer, center, sits between Heather Morgan, left, and her husband, Ilya ‘Dutch’ Lichtenstein, in federal court on Tuesday

‘I’m many things, a rapper, dark darknet market darkmarket url an economist, a journalist, a writer, a CEO, and a dirty, dirty, dirty dirty h*,’ she raps in her 2019 single, Versace Bedouin.

‘When she’s not reverse-engineering black markets to think of better ways to combat fraud and cybercrime, she enjoys rapping and designing streetwear fashion,’ her  reads. 

The August 2016 Bitfinex hack itself was one of the largest crypto heists ever recorded – so massive that news of the theft knocked 20 percent off Bitcoin’s value at the time. 

Lichtenstein and Morgan are thus far not charged directly with perpetrating the hack, but rather with receiving and laundering the stolen funds. The case was filed in a federal court in Washington, D.C.

It was unclear who will be representing the couple in the criminal case and whether they had an attorney to speak on their behalf.

They were due to appear in federal court in Manhattan at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. 

The couple is accused of conspiring to launder 119,754 bitcoin that was stolen, after a hacker attacked Bitfinex and initiated more than 2,000 unauthorized transactions.

Morgan, a rapper and former Forbes contributor, describes herself as 'an expert in persuasion, social engineering, and game theory'

Morgan, a rapper and former Forbes contributor, dark markets 2024 describes herself as ‘an expert in persuasion, social engineering, and game theory’

The couple is accused of conspiring to launder 119,754 bitcoin that was stolen, after a hacker attacked Bitfinex and initiated more than 2,000 unauthorized transactions

The couple is accused of conspiring to launder 119,754 bitcoin that was stolen, after a hacker attacked Bitfinex and initiated more than 2,000 unauthorized transactions

Justice Department officials said the transactions at the time were valued at $71 million in Bitcoin, but with the rise in the currency’s value, it is now valued at over $4.5 billion.

‘As the complaint alleges, the FBI and federal prosecutors were able to trace the movement of Bitcoin from this hack,’ said Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

He added that the money moved through a major darknet market lists exchange tied to a host of crimes, as well as cryptocurrency addresses tied to child sexual abuse materials.

Lichtenstein and Morgan are facing charges of conspiring to commit money laundering, as well as to defraud the United States.

Prosecutors said on Tuesday the illegal proceeds were spent on a variety of things, from gold and non-fungible tokens to ‘absolutely mundane things such as purchasing a Walmart gift card for $500.’

Bitfinex said in a statement that it was to working with the Department of Justice to ‘establish our rights to a return of the stolen bitcoin.’

‘We have been cooperating extensively with the DOJ since its investigation began and will continue to do so,’ the company said. 

Bitfinex said it intends to provide further updates on its efforts to obtain a return of the stolen bitcoin as and when those updates are available. 

Tuesday’s criminal complaint came more than four months after Monaco announced the department was launching a new National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, which is comprised of a mix of anti-money laundering and cybersecurity experts.

The August 2016 Bitfinex hack itself was one of the largest crypto heists ever recorded - so massive that news of the theft knocked 20 percent off Bitcoin's value

The August 2016 Bitfinex hack itself was one of the largest crypto heists ever recorded – so massive that news of the theft knocked 20 percent off Bitcoin’s value

Lichtenstein and Morgan are facing charges of conspiring to commit money laundering, as well as to defraud the United States

Lichtenstein and Morgan are facing charges of conspiring to commit money laundering, as well as to defraud the United States

Morgan is seen rapping with the New York Stock Exchange behind her to the right

Morgan is seen rapping with the New York Stock Exchange behind her to the right

Cyber criminals who attack companies, municipalities and individuals with ransomware often demand payment in the form of cryptocurrency.

In one high-profile example last year, hackers caused a widespread gas shortage on the U.S. East Coast when by using encryption software called DarkSide to launch a cyber attack on the Colonial Pipeline.

The Justice Department later recovered some $2.3 million in cryptocurrency ransom that Colonial paid to the hackers.

Cases like these demonstrate that the Justice Department ‘can follow money across the blockchain, just as we have always followed it within the traditional financial system,’ said Kenneth Polite, assistant attorney general of the department’s Criminal Division. 

Justice Department officials say that though the proliferation of cryptocurrency and virtual currency exchanges represent innovation, the trend has also been accompanied by money laundering, ransomware and other crimes

‘Today´s arrests, and the Department´s largest financial seizure ever, show that cryptocurrency is not a safe haven for criminals,’ Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. 

‘In a futile effort to maintain digital anonymity, the defendants laundered stolen funds through a labyrinth of cryptocurrency transactions. Thanks to the meticulous work of law enforcement, the department once again showed how it can and will follow the money, no matter the form it takes.’  

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