Cybercriminals mirror Black Friday with dark market deals

Bitdefender has revealed insights into the shopping habits of cybercriminals on dark market platforms, which mirror traditional consumer behaviour during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Bitdefender has used its covert access to illicit markets to highlight the “steals” cybercriminals are after. They range from fake IDs and money to exotic animal parts, and even meth and heroin at wholesale prices. There’s also an underground culture of ratings, comment sections and reviews which, ironically, help buyers choose trustworthy and reliable criminals.

Amazon, Target, and Home Depot, among other legitimate online retailers, offer discounted products like electronics and clothing, but dark markets provide a different array of goods. Here, buyers can find fake passports, stolen credit cards, narcotics, and even military-grade weapons.

Accessing these dark web marketplaces requires sophisticated tools, such as the Tor Browser, and even then, finding these websites can be difficult due to constantly changing addresses. Potential users must also ingratiate themselves within cybercriminal groups, which involves clearing vetting processes, obtaining referrals, or proving trustworthiness in forum discussions.

Bitdefender’s cybercrime unit, by infiltrating several cybercriminal organisations, provides law enforcement with necessary support to combat illicit activities. They continue to offer public insights to enhance personal cybersecurity awareness.

On exploring these markets, Bitdefender identified various products available for purchase. For instance, fake IDs, complete with selfies, are available for as low as USD $25 to circumvent verification processes. Counterfeit currency can be acquired at a 10% exchange rate, allowing individuals to exchange USD $95 for USD $1,000 in fake bills.

Meanwhile, exotic animal parts, such as rhino horns, can be purchased for USD $5,000, contributing to illegal poaching. Social media followers and likes are sold between USD $4 to USD $400, with some sellers offering “lifetime warranties.” Streaming service login details are obtainable for USD $5 to USD $15, often accompanied by bulk deals.

Worryingly, explosive materials and military weapons are also purchasable, with prices ranging from USD $500 to USD $35,000. Narcotics, including methamphetamine and Afghan heroin, are available in bulk, costing around USD $34,000 per kilo.

Ratings and reviews play a significant role on these dark markets, much like in conventional e-commerce platforms. These testimonials help buyers identify reputable sellers and ensure transactions, despite their illegal nature, are fulfilled reliably.

Unlike traditional payment methods such as credit cards or PayPal, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Monero are the primary forms of payment on dark markets. These are perceived to offer greater anonymity, a requirement given the illegal transactions being conducted.

Bitdefender cautions against engaging with dark markets despite any curiosity festive discounts might ignite. The risk of severe legal repercussions remains high, as global law enforcement agencies are active in monitoring and dismantling these illicit platforms.