The dark web as a platform for crime: An exploration of illicit drug, firearm, CSAM, and cybercrime markets

Abstract

Widespread adoption of the Internet and mobile technologies has allowed for easy access to a variety of global services. Despite the many legitimate goods and services provided by online retailers, criminal illicit markets have also prolifer-ated online. Illicit online markets capitalize on the anonymity and global nature of the Internet, creating challenges and difficulties for law enforcement investigations. This chapter provides an overview of the Dark Web and the current literature on illicit online markets operating on the Dark Web related to drugs, firearms, cybercrime services, and child sexual exploitation. This overview focuses on the online Dark Web marketplace, although several of these products are also bought, sold, and traded on sites that are publicly accessible. Special attention is dedicated to an overview of market forces and its processes.