23-year-old Taiwanese man Lin Rui-Siang was previously arrested by U.S. prosecutors at a New York airport in May this year on suspicion of founding and operating the dark web drug market 'Incognito Market,' which sold over $100 million worth of illegal drugs. On December 16, Lin Rui-Siang pleaded guilty in a New York federal court, admitting to conspiracy to distribute drugs, money laundering, and selling counterfeit and unapproved drugs, and is set to be sentenced on March 27, 2025.
The dark web drug trading platform is large-scale, with individuals profiting millions of dollars.
The drug trading platform 'Incognito Market,' which existed on the dark web from October 2020 until its closure in March 2024, was operated by Lin Rui-Siang himself. He used the alias 'Pharoah' to handle all operational matters, including employees, suppliers, and buyers, and charged a 5% transaction fee on each deal, accumulating personal profits of millions of dollars.
The platform's pages are concise and straightforward.
The drugs sold on the platform include heroin, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, oxycodone, methamphetamine, and even counterfeit drugs that have been found to contain fentanyl after testing. Users in need can access the Incognito Market anonymously through the Tor browser for purchasing.
Controlled drugs and illegal narcotics are all available. The platform operates similarly to legitimate e-commerce, with an anonymous banking system that protects both buyers and sellers.
The 'Incognito Market' is designed to resemble mainstream e-commerce websites, including brand interfaces, advertisements, and customer service functions. Users must first register for an account and pay an entry fee to browse a list of thousands of drugs on the site and pay through the platform's built-in anonymous 'bank' system using cryptocurrency.
Anonymous banking system. Blueprints reveal criminal plans.
Before the establishment of Incognito Market, Lin Rui-Siang had already sent himself the initial design plans for Incognito Market, and the content on the design closely matched the actual functions of the platform later on. During the platform's operation, U.S. prosecutors discovered the sale of counterfeit drugs through undercover investigations, such as those claiming to be oxycodone that were found to be fentanyl after testing. Ultimately, U.S. prosecutors successfully shut down the platform and arrested Lin Rui-Siang.
Initial design draft of the platform. Lin Rui-Siang will ultimately plead guilty, possibly facing life imprisonment.
On December 16, Lin Rui-Siang also pleaded guilty in a New York federal court, facing charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and selling counterfeit drugs, with a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum potential life sentence. The final sentence will be determined by a U.S. judge based on federal sentencing guidelines and related factors. The law is rigorous and does not miss its target; at just 23 years old, Lin Rui-Siang, in the prime of his youth, chose to take the illegal path due to momentary greed, and he may spend the rest of his life in prison, which is truly lamentable.
This article discusses the operation of a dark web drug trading platform that profited millions of dollars! A 23-year-old Taiwanese man serving alternative military service has pleaded guilty and faces potential life imprisonment. It first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.