When the Darknet Went Quarantine‑Ready
- The world’s most infamous underground markets, famous for drugs and stolen cards, are now selling face masks and other Covid‑related gear.
- Scientists at Elliptic discovered that a spike in protective‑equipping demand has turned these crypto‑only bazaars into a new Wild West.
- Prices range from a few dollars for bulk packs to almost ninety bucks for a single “Covid‑19 test strip,” according to the latest listings.
Why the Darknet is a Bad Boy’s Playground
Darknet marketplaces are essentially e‑commerce sites that sit outside the reach of traditional search engines. They’re popular with criminals because buyers and sellers operate in anonymity, using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to stay off the radar.
COVID‑19: The New Gold Rush
Governments worldwide scramble to secure masks for front‑line workers, but the shortage proved a lucrative proposition for both legitimate and illegitimate sellers.
- High‑grade N95 masks once sold for about US$1, but now they can fetch €9 or US$1.50 in bulk.
- One vendor offered a pack of “Covid‑19 test strips” for over US$90.
- Another bizarre listing sold chloroquine, touted by some as a cure—despite the lack of verification.
Market Hunters on the Darknet
According to Elliptic, almost two‑thirds of sellers appear credible based on user ratings and transaction counts, but they mainly link back to drug sales and fraud services.
- ~33 % focus on drugs or paraphernalia.
- ~45 % sell hacking and counterfeit money.
Side‑Notes on the Pandemic Market
With millions infected and a heavy toll on health workers, supply shortages have turned the medical mask market into a frenzy—parks on the real market for high‑end investors, and now, a shadow market ready to scoop up every supply chain scavenge.
