Content
The Hidden World of the Dark Web Hitman
“Tell others about this shop, and earn 1% from every purchase they will make,” reads a message on the site. Stinson’s parents and friends packed two rows of seats in a Tampa courtroom. They spoke of a woman who held a master’s degree in accounting, who ran her own financial services business, who served as the chief financial officer for her church and strove to help others. Several who spoke were pastors and religious leaders who had known Stinson for decades. A similar sting led to the arrest and imprisonment of a Mississippi woman last year, when she paid $10,000 in Bitcoin to a purported hitman who turned out to be a federal law enforcement agent.
- She is determined to see justice catch up to the man she says ordered her murder and the person who promised to arrange it.
- For four months in 2016, Felkins exchanged messages with the Besa Mafia website administrator.
- Authorities quickly traced the transaction, found the provider where he had purchased the cryptocurrency, and ultimately identified the suspect.
- HSI Birmingham agents introduced themselves to the woman, informed her of the threat to her life, and she agreed to an interview.
- Of course, that could be down to the care of professional killers to not getting caught.
- Her murder had apparently been ordered on a website called Camorra Hitmen, which advertised gun-for-hire services with the promise of keeping its clients anonymous.
In one of the most gruesome cases, a man in Minnesota was arrested after he was found to have killed his wife himself when the hit man he had commissioned on the Besa Mafia website for about $6,000 in Bitcoin did not come through. The site 18th Street Mafia includes a page with links to news stories about real killings it says it helped commit. None of the articles, however, indicate that the site, or even a hit man, was responsible. That doesn’t mean the sites aren’t involved in a very dark trade.
The dark web, a part of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines, is notorious for its illicit activities, one of which is hiring a dark web hitman. This underground marketplace operates in anonymity, using encrypted connections and unique currencies such as Bitcoin.
One review posted on personal blog and supposedly written by a happy customer, includes a gory picture of a man covered in blood and slumped in a driver’s seat. In 800 words, the customer explains in rambling detail how Besa Mafia helped him kill the man who raped his girlfriend. Of course, anyone could have authored that Wikipedia edit, including Besa Mafia’s admins. The same goes for the glaringly positive reviews of the site, scattered across the internet. Although the site is almost definitely a scam—and a seemingly profitable one at that—the sheer effort its creators have gone to puts Besa Mafia head and shoulders above just about anything else on the dark web.
The elusive Yura never showed up, claiming we could have been followed by police. She is determined to see justice catch up to the man she says ordered her murder and the person who promised to arrange it. Now, she’s a CBS News consultant who we hired to help us look for Yura. When Alexis arrived at the police station, she got stunning news. Alexis had every reason to be worried because of something that had happened just months earlier, when out of nowhere, the police had called her.
“We have professional hitmen available through the entire USA, Canada and Europe and you can hire a contract killer easily.” The group claims to come from Albania. The investigation, carried out by data-privacy and cybersecurity think-tank PrivacyAffairs, took a close look at a range of dark-web hitmen sites to compare the language, promises, and costs involved. John Michael Musbach is charged with murder for hire, the U.S.
Understanding the Dark Web Hitman Ecosystem
District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee on May 11. “From a criminal intent standpoint, it seems far easier to arrest the potential customer because they are overtly seeking a service to do harm to another person,” Holt said. Investigators were given messages between an online user, “cattree,” and the administrator of the dark web site Online Killers Market, which offers hitmen for hire, court documents say.
Within the realm of the dark web, various platforms and forums exist where individuals can offer their services, including that of a hitman. These platforms are often shrouded in secrecy, making them challenging to monitor and regulate.
On March 22, “cattree” sent a message saying, “I have waited for 2 months and 11 days and the job is not completed,” according to the court document. Investigators alerted police in Prattville, Alabama, where the target lived, and sent patrols to the victim’s home. According to the affidavit, an outside law enforcement agency tipped off the Homeland Security Investigations unit in Birmingham, Alabama, about the alleged plot in April. Melody Sasser apparently didn’t like it when her friend, identified in recently unsealed court documents by the initials D.W., told her he was getting married last fall.
Sign In To Access Harper’s Magazine
- Anonymous Communication: The use of encryption tools like Tor allows users to communicate without revealing their identities.
- Cryptocurrency Transactions: Payments are typically made using cryptocurrencies, further enhancing anonymity.
- Reputation Systems: Many platforms include a review or rating system to help users assess the credibility of a dark web hitman.
- Operational Security: Skilled operators employ various digital safety measures to protect themselves and their clients.
The Risks Involved with Hiring a Dark Web Hitman
Engaging a dark web hitman comes with significant risks, both legally and personally. Some of these risks include:
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in any murder-for-hire scheme is illegal and can lead to serious criminal charges.
- Scams and Fraud: Many individuals posing as hitmen may be scammers, leaving clients without any service after receiving payment.
- Law Enforcement Monitoring: Agencies are increasingly using advanced techniques to monitor dark web activities, including undercover operations.
- Emotional Toll: The implications of hiring someone to harm another can have profound psychological effects on the client.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a segment of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines, requiring specific software such as Tor to access.
Are all dark web hitman services scams?
While many services are fraudulent, some may be real. However, attempting to hire a hitman is extremely risky and illegal.
How can law enforcement trace dark web hitmen?
Despite the anonymity provided, law enforcement employs various techniques to trace transactions and communications, increasing their chances of identifying perpetrators.
Is hiring a dark web hitman a viable option?
Engaging in such activities is illegal and fraught with risk, making it an unviable option for individuals.
Conclusion
The concept of a dark web hitman feeds into the allure of the dark web as a place for hidden and forbidden activities. However, the dangers associated with this path are severe. Legal repercussions, financial scams, and associated emotional issues present compelling arguments against considering such actions. The dark web may offer a façade of safety and anonymity, but the reality is far more complex and perilous.