Empire Market Owners Charged in Chicago, $430M Dark Web

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As a researcher with experience in investigating dark web marketplaces, I find the alleged operation of “Empire Market” by Thomas Pavey and Raheim Hamilton to be a significant development in the ongoing efforts to disrupt such criminal activities. The charges against them, if true, represent a major blow to the illicit trade of drugs, stolen credit card information, and counterfeit currency on the dark web.

In the federal court in Chicago, charges have been brought against Thomas Pavey and Raheim Hamilton for their suspected role in managing “Empire Market,” an underground online marketplace on the dark web.

As a researcher investigating this matter, I’ve discovered that the allegations against them originate from their oversight of the marketplace between the years 2018 and 2020. During this period, it is claimed that they enabled more than $430 million in questionable transactions across the globe.

Thomas Pavey, alias “Dopenugget,” is a resident of Ormond Beach, Florida, whereas Raheim Hamilton, known as “Sydney” and “Zero Angel,” hails from Suffolk, Virginia. They find themselves in legal hot water following an indictment which accuses them of collaborating on various criminal activities. The charges encompass attempts to traffic drugs, commit computer fraud, access device fraud, counterfeit currency production, and money laundering. If found guilty, they may be looking at spending the rest of their lives in prison.

Law enforcement claims that Pavey and Hamilton worked together in the past to peddle counterfeit American money on AlphaBay, which was taken down in 2017. It’s alleged that they went on to establish Empire Market in 2018, employing sophisticated software and a “.onion” domain name to enable untraceable dealings between thousands of sellers and purchasers.

As a researcher examining this marketplace, I’ve discovered it’s suspected of enabling the illicit trade of various substances like heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, as well as counterfeit currency and stolen credit card details.

During the probe, officials confiscated substantial possessions valued at $75 million in cryptocurrency, along with cash and valuable metals.

It’s important to note that an indictment does not equate to guilt, and neither Pavey nor Hamilton are considered guilty until a legal trial determines otherwise. No dates for their arraignment in Chicago have been set yet.

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2024-06-15 11:48