German investigators shut down illegal darknet marketplace "Kingdom Market"
The marketplace, which was accessible via the Tor network and other encrypted channels over the internet, had been active since at least March 2021 and was primarily used to trade in narcotics. According to the investigators, malware, forged documents and criminal services were also offered there. Payment was made in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The platform operators received a commission for the transaction.
According to the BKA and the public prosecutor's office, they cooperated with law enforcement authorities in the USA, Switzerland, Ukraine and Moldova in their investigations. More than 42,000 products were recently offered on "Kingdom Market", including 3,600 from Germany. Several hundred seller accounts and tens of thousands of customer accounts were registered there.
Investigations into those responsible for the illegal marketplace on the so-called Darknet are still ongoing. They are accused of commercially operating a criminal trading platform on the internet and illicit trafficking in narcotics. The evaluation of the servers seized during the operation that began on Saturday had not yet been completed.
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- The malicious software used on "Kingdom Market" often came disguised as legitimate files, acting as a switch to enable unauthorized access to user devices.
- Law enforcement agencies from Frankfurt on the Main and Wiesbaden, in collaboration with the BKA, have been working tirelessly to dismantle the criminal activities associated with the darknet marketplace.
- The illegal operation of "Kingdom Market" is believed to have been facilitated by a sophisticated system of payment laundering, a common tactic used in illicit darknet marketplaces.
- According to the investigator, the darknet marketplace "Kingdom Market" was one of the most active in Europe, with transactions ranging from illegal drugs to forged documents and even illegal services.
- The shutdown of "Kingdom Market" was a significant victory for German and international law enforcement agencies in their ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and illicit activities on the darknet.
- The closure of the darknet marketplace "Kingdom Market" is expected to disrupt the illegal drug trade on the darknet, but the underground market is known for its resilience and potential to evolve into new forms.
Source: www.stern.de
