AlphaBay, one of the black markets on darknet is offline for several days. Some users believe administrators are trying to get out of the way. For over a week, the market does not give any sign of life, and if things remain so many customers would be harmed.
AlphaBay is likely to lose its place in the top black market
Alphabay has been a leader in the field for two years. It was the largest online market on the web that traded illegal goods. According to the DeepDotWeb site, the market has maintained its approval rate of 93%, but it's offline for almost a week. If a deep web site is offline for two weeks, it will no longer be listed by Deepdotweb on the recommended sitebar.
In addition, last week, a "public relations employee" using the nickname "Trappy," warned users in a post on Reddit about the emergence of fake sites. They claim to be AlphaBay, but they are actually phishing sites. Trappy did not explain why AlphaBay is offline.
AlphaBay customers are nervous and are looking for alternative markets
Other markets on darknet, such as Dream or Hansa, have become more visited by customers these days. Due to the large number of new accounts, Hansa stops recording. Some users even tried to buy the accounts of others. The dedicated AlphaBay subdit is full of jokes about the exit of the site administrators. However, users searching for alternative markets, or customers trying to get in touch with their former suppliers, are also on the same footing. Customers' agitation may also be determined by the fact that AlphaBay could also find some dangerous drugs, while other markets offer only less harmful products such as marijuana.
The most speculated theories
A security error (OP-Sec)
There have been several theories about what has happened to the black market. "Kinger," a former AlphaBay merchant, said he had revealed to the press the identity of a member of the market staff who used the nickname "Desnake." Kinger also boasted the fact that he also exposed other darknet users in the past: "Hello guys, I'm Kinger. I inform you that AlphaBay has closed for me, "Kinger said. "Desnake's identity was exposed by me because she made a mistake. After I contacted him to announce him, I think he decided to destroy everything. "
Another black market vendor confirmed the possibility of an OP-Sec and explained that it would soon provide evidence in this regard: "Since it was a human mistake, the administrator decided to quit. I've been in touch with a staff member and they seem to have shared the money between them. All user money has gone.
I doubt they'll come back. This manager should take things seriously and realize who they are and what information they have. I kindly ask them to return the money to merchants who have been loyal to him and helped him. I know there are no people in good faith at darknet, but at least give us the money back. "
Darknet authorities and investigations
Another theory says the authorities are close to catching many of the black market managers. Last week, in Quebec, FBI agents and Canadian policemen discovered evidence of a black market. According to police representatives in Canada, computer seizures and arrests also occurred in Thailand. The authorities did not specifically specify the subject of the Quebec survey. They just broadcast that they are watching a global network associated with the dark web.
Customers still have hopes
There have been many debates in the forums, but no one knows exactly what happened. Some believe the market will reopen. Others say it's been too long for this to happen, and the directors left for a long time, taking with them the funds in bitcoin and monero customers.
Even though AlphaBay was the largest market on the deep web, it did not offer all of the security settings that were available in other markets, including multi-signature wallets. Hansa, for example, the third market as a popularity, even offers 10 bitchon premieres to customers who find bugs in the system.
Moreover, there are people who pursue many wallets that have been used on AlphaBay. Some even contain thousands of bitcoins. But until customers report losses, it is hard to estimate how much money they have been stolen. At present, even if it's been a week since AlphaBay representatives have given no sign, customers still hope their favorite market will resume business.