International Sting Takes Down Major Dark Web Marketplace “Nemesis Market”

Nemesis Market, a major darknet marketplace for illegal goods, shut down by joint international law enforcement action – Servers seized, €94,000 in crypto confiscated. Global effort disrupts dark web criminal activity.

In a coordinated international effort, German authorities, working alongside law enforcement agencies from the United States and Lithuania, have successfully shut down the global darknet marketplace “Nemesis Market.”

The takedown, announced on March 22nd, 2024, by the Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) of Germany, marks a significant blow to cybercrime operations on the dark web.

Nemesis Market, launched in 2021, had grown rapidly to become a major player in the dark web marketplace scene. Accessible only through the Tor network, the platform offered a haven for illicit activity, facilitating the sale of narcotics, stolen data, and a variety of cybercrime services.

Source: Federal Criminal Police Office

According to the German press release, investigations into the Nemesis Market began in October 2022, culminating in a concerted action on March 20th, 2024. The operation involved seizing server infrastructure located in Germany and Lithuania, effectively shutting down the marketplace. Additionally, German authorities confiscated cryptocurrency assets worth approximately €94,000, believed to be linked to the platform’s operations.

The investigation revealed a large user base for Nemesis Market, with over 150,000 user accounts and over 1,100 seller accounts identified worldwide. Notably, nearly 20% of these sellers were traced back to Germany, highlighting the platform’s reach. The marketplace offered a diverse range of illegal goods and services, including:

• Narcotics
• Ransomware
• Phishing tools
• DDoS attack services
• Stolen data and goods

The press release emphasizes that the seized data from the marketplace will be used for further investigations to identify and prosecute the sellers and users involved. This takedown serves as a reminder of the ongoing international efforts to combat cybercrime on the dark web. Collaboration between law enforcement agencies from different countries is proving crucial in disrupting these illicit marketplaces and holding those responsible accountable.

While the takedown of Nemesis Market is a victory for law enforcement, it’s important to acknowledge the persistence of the dark web. New marketplaces are likely to emerge, prompting the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation.

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