Rui-siang Lin, 23, is accused of operating Incognito Market and extorting users while portraying himself as an expert in cryptocurrency crimes.

A Taiwanese national accused of operating Incognito Market, a dark web drug marketplace, was arrested after authorities tracked transactions on the platform.

The platform has traded more than $100 million in cryptocurrencies through the sale of illegal drugs such as fentanyl.

Incognito Market founder arrested and charged

On May 18, U.S. authorities arrested 23-year-old Lin Ruixiang, who used the alias "Pharaoh," at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. According to FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge James Smith, Lin operated Incognito Market for about four years and was responsible for its operations, including suppliers, employees and customers, and was the main decision maker.

During this time, Lin personally reaped millions of dollars in profits, and Incognito Market grew into one of the largest online drug sales platforms. The platform facilitated the buying and selling of prescription amphetamines such as Adderall, ecstasy, LSD, and cocaine using Monero and Bitcoin. In return, Lin took a 5% commission on each transaction as users moved funds through the platform.

Lin faces charges including one count of money laundering, one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, one count of drug conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to sell counterfeit and adulterated drugs.

According to the FBI, they identified the owner of Incognito Market by tracing cryptocurrency from the market to an exchange account opened in his name. FBI task force officer Mark Rubens said the exchange provided Lin Ruixiang's driver's license, email and phone number.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said during Lin's court appearance on Monday that the so-called "dark web" is not a safe haven for individuals seeking to engage in illegal activity.

Lin faces life imprisonment

Incognito Market ceased operations in March following an alleged exit scam that left users unable to retrieve their funds on the platform, and then, according to media reports, the platform’s administrators began demanding fees from vendors, ranging from $100 to $20,000, depending on the size of the vendor, to prevent their customer data from being publicly leaked.

Despite facing charges, Lin, who describes himself as a cryptocurrency developer and enthusiast of the privacy coin Monero, revealed on X that he conducted a four-day cybercrime and cryptocurrency workshop for 30 officers from the Saint Lucia Police Academy in early April.

Despite the serious charges against him, Mr. Lin still describes himself as a cryptocurrency developer and a keen supporter of the privacy coin Monero. Mr. Lin revealed on X an activity he conducted in early April: He hosted a four-day workshop on cybercrime and cryptocurrency for 30 police officers from the Saint Lucia Police Academy.

If convicted, Lin faces a mandatory life sentence on the criminal enterprise charge. Meanwhile, Ross Ulbricht, the man behind the Silk Road dark web drug marketplace, faced similar charges and was convicted of the same crime. He was sentenced to life in prison.

If convicted, Mr Lin faces a mandatory life sentence for the criminal enterprise offences he is charged with, similar to the charges faced by Ross Ulbricht, the mastermind behind the Silk Road dark web drug marketplace, who was also convicted of similar offences and ultimately sentenced to life in prison.

It is worth noting that the drug conspiracy charge faced by Mr. Lin has serious legal consequences, with a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. This range of penalties highlights the judicial system's harsh stance on crimes involving drug trafficking.

In addition, Mr. Lin faces two other charges, each of which carries a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Conclusion:

Lin Ruixiang's arrest highlights that illegal activities on the dark web are not beyond the law, and the FBI's tracking technology can effectively expose and combat such crimes. Although Lin Ruixiang tried to present himself as a cryptocurrency expert, his dual identity did not protect him from legal sanctions.

This case reminds us that the development of technology should not be a cover for illegal behavior, but a force for social justice and law compliance. As technology continues to advance, law enforcement agencies and the legal system must also continue to adapt to ensure the security and order of cyberspace. #FBI #非法交易 #IncognitoMarket