Criminal Know-How for Sale: Knowledge Brokers and Dealers on Darknet Marketplaces

• In Event: Crypto & Darknet

Abstract

Darknet marketplaces (DNMs) facilitate the exchange of a wide range of goods and services. However, one area of research that remains largely unexplored is the exchange of criminal knowledge on these platforms. Building upon the limited research in this field, this study investigates the type of criminal knowledge shared on ASAP and Nemesis DNMs, and the actors involved in this information exchange. Through a content analysis of DNM listings and utilizing social network analysis to map the dissemination of illicit knowledge, this study demonstrates that DNMs play role in the sharing of criminal information. Additionally, this research finds that vendors not only provide explicit knowledge on DNM sites but also function as intermediaries, directing users to other online spaces and individuals who possess the knowledge they seek. The findings carry significant implications for the field, emphasizing the need for targeted intervention strategies to disrupt illicit knowledge exchange within these spaces.

Authors

• Bryce Barthuly, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, USA

• Marie-Helen Maras, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, USA

• Kenji Logie, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York