Taiwanese National Arrested for Running Dark Web Drug Market

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As a seasoned crypto investor with over a decade of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of headlines that make me pause and reflect on the risks involved in this industry. But the recent arrest of Rui-Siang Lin, known as Pharoah in the dark web community, has left me feeling particularly uneasy.

Rui-Siang Lin, a native of Taiwan, was caught at John F. Kennedy Airport under suspicion of orchestrating Incognito Market, an illicit online marketplace on the dark web that reportedly dealt in global drug transactions.

Pharoah, whose real name is Lin and uses a false identity online, has been charged with overseeing the day-to-day activities of Incognito Market. During its existence from October 2020 to March 2024, this marketplace is believed to have facilitated transactions worth over $100 million for illegal substances such as cocaine and methamphetamines, all conducted anonymously through the dark web.

As a researcher, I’ve uncovered that my recent arrest resulted from joint efforts between the FBI, DEA, and FDA-OCI during an OCDETF operation. These charges are severe and encompass engaging in a criminal enterprise, narcotics conspiracy, money laundering, and conspiring to sell adulterated medication. Consequences for such offenses can bring about lengthy prison sentences, even for first-time offenders.

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2024-05-21 03:32