5. Who’s Watching the Dark Web?
You might think it’s the “wild west,” but law enforcement is active there:
- FBI, Europol, and Cybercrime Units – They infiltrate markets, track Bitcoin transactions, and arrest sellers.
- Honeypot Scams – Some “hitman” or drug sites are actually run by cops.
- Blockchain Analysis – Bitcoin isn’t fully anonymous; agencies use tracking tools like Chainalysis.
Biggest Busts:
✔ Silk Road (2013) – Founder Ross Ulbricht got life in prison.
✔ AlphaBay (2017) – Taken down in a global operation.
✔ Welcome to Video (2019) – A child exploitation site shut down by the FBI.
6. Should You Ever Use the Dark Web?
Maybe, If…
✅ You’re a journalist protecting sources.
✅ You live under an oppressive regime.
✅ You’re researching cybersecurity (safely).
Avoid If…
❌ You’re just curious—malware and scams are rampant.
❌ You think you can buy illegal stuff without consequences (you can’t).
❌ You’re not tech-savvy—one wrong click can expose you.