Their URLs (aka dark web links) have .onion as the domain, instead of the common surface web domains like .com or .net. The dark web isn’t just about secret deals and hidden forums—it’s also a hotspot for scams. From shady marketplaces pulling vanishing acts to Ponzi schemes promising the moon and back, there’s no shortage of tricks up its sleeve. Fast forward to today, as concerns over internet privacy continue to rise, Tor has evolved into a widely-used global privacy tool. With over 65,000 unique .onion URLs and nearly 2 million daily users worldwide, it has become a go-to solution for those seeking anonymity online. Step into the world of the dark web with these jaw-dropping tales of deception and intrigue.
Some services are genuine; you can get what you want at an agreed fee. If the above average Joe’s explanation isn’t enough for you, below are some legitimate reasons to use the Dark Web in a bit more detail. It’s important to note that although the dark web has many valuable services, it is also a hangout for cybercriminals. Tor anonymity comes with a cost since malicious hackers and criminals like to operate in the shadows. For example, perpetrators of trafficking and cyber attacks use the dark web to disguise their actions.
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- The dark web is a part of the internet that you only step into with a specific tool (Tor, more on this later in the article).
- From vanishing marketplaces to elaborate Ponzi schemes, these stories shed light on the cunning cons that even the savviest observers couldn’t see coming.
- The main difference is that prop money is for entertainment purposes only.
- This is because law enforcement often actively monitors these sites.
The first category includes classic marketplaces, which serve as one-stop shops for a wide range of illegal goods. These platforms sell everything from drugs and fake IDs to weapons and hacking tools, resembling a digital black-market bazaar. The onion links provided here have been meticulously sourced directly from the official directory site, ensuring that every link is authentic, secure, and trustworthy.
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Since the ISP can’t detect you’re accessing dark web URLs, it won’t trigger any alarms about your online activity. A favorite of journalists and their anonymous sources, SecureDrop makes it easy to share confidential information without revealing your identity. Many news publications, like the ones listed above, have a SecureDrop on their .onion sites.
Flock Safety License Plate Camera Company Stops Cooperating With Feds

‘Benjamin’ (gender unknown) introduces themselves in what becomes a long thread where buyers return to critique their product. Benjamin responds by defending the product, saying that buyers are using it improperly, and eventually agreeing that the counterfeit notes are not what they were. Earlier in the year, the European Central Bank reported that counterfeiting Euro bank notes appeared to be on the decline.
Counterfeit currency scams were another common scheme on the dark web, where vendors claimed to sell high-quality fake money. Buyers would pay in Bitcoin, hoping to receive counterfeit bills that could pass as real. However, many were left empty-handed or received poorly made counterfeits that were easily detectable. These scams not only resulted in financial loss but also carried significant legal risks, as attempting to use counterfeit currency is a serious crime. In the end, the scammers themselves often became victims of their own fraudulent schemes.

New York Magnet Fisher Catches Safe Full Of Soggy $100 Bills, He Says

The indictment charges Pavey and Hamilton with conspiring with each other and others to engage in drug trafficking, computer fraud, access device fraud, counterfeiting, and money laundering. The charges in the superseding indictment are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. If you are in need of money, there are legal and safe ways to obtain it. Always remember that engaging in illegal activities can have serious consequences, and it is not worth the risk. Buying counterfeit money is illegal and can result in severe consequences. If you are caught buying or possessing counterfeit money, you could face fines, imprisonment, or both.
Tor Scam List
Here, you’ll find detailed insights into the market’s features, services, and an in-depth look at why MGMGrand continues to be the go-to choice for privacy-conscious individuals. Embrace a seamless, secure, and user-friendly shopping experience designed with your safety and convenience in mind. Explore confidently as we guide you through everything that makes MGMGrand truly exceptional. If you get a reliable vendor, you should procure the services to stay safe when accessing the dark web.
How To Use Abacus Darknet Market?

This service is a good source of statistics if you have a school project requiring research on Tor and the dark web. However, note that the site only uses non-sensitive and public data for the metrics. The Tor Metrics is a good place to get more information about the Tor project. It collects data from the public Tor network and archives historical data of the Tor ecosystem. Awazon became the successor of the popular AlphaBay market, which the authorities shut down successfully in July 2023. Like any other site of such nature, Awazon Market isn’t free from risks, so be careful while accessing it. mark it means it has been verified as a scam service and it should be avoided.|“Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, Ruth Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York office of Homeland Security Investigations. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melody Wells and Ann Marie Ursini.|Right now, you can use many cryptocurrency .onion sites to buy or sell all types of cryptocurrencies. Established in 2012, the platform is a time capsule that collects snapshots of websites. These onion addresses will remain online even if the original page disappears.}
Why Are All The Darknet Markets Down
Spanish and Mexican currency were in widespread use and legal tender until 1857. Political conflicts raged over the metal content of dollar coins, pegging the dollar to the Gold Standard, and recently the value of a fiat currency in comparison to cryptocoins. The global nature of the dollar as a reserve currency makes it tempting to fake and hard to update, as new versions can be seen as untrustworthy. In this video you can see a fake U.S 1 Dollar bill compared to a real one. The effort was a follow-up to an earlier operation, dubbed Deep Money, which had targeted the crime gang involved in making and distributing the fake currency.
The market also sold criminal cyber-services such as obtaining stolen financial information, fraudulent identification documents, counterfeit currencies, and computer malware. Buying or selling drugs, stolen credit card data, fake documents, or hacking services are all serious crimes. Launched in 2023, STYX focuses on financial crime, providing stolen credit card data, hacked bank accounts and access to various cryptocurrency laundering tools. As when visiting ordinary websites, stay alert to security risks on onion sites. Don’t click on suspicious links, be skeptical of what you read, and avoid dark web marketplaces if you don’t want to stumble on illegal activity or content.

Is It Illegal To Access The Dark Web?

Searching the house in Yukon, agents found about $300,000 in fake $100 bills, lined up and hanging to dry in neat rows. A talented artist, Johnson rendered hand-drawn portraits of relatives and friends. He initially said he worked in information technology and had attended college, majoring in psychology. Elliott found a Harvard diploma and ID card in a drawer; she didn’t know they were fakes.
But in 2013, after a code leak the site vanished from the web, taking with it millions in users’ funds. This disappearance echoes similar cases involving platforms like Sheep Marketplace and Oasis Market, where the operators pulled off what’s known as an “exit scam”, simply vanishing with deposited bitcoins. The original scam report highlights a recurring pattern of suspicious listings, particularly the prominence of a seller named “CardsKingdom,” who consistently maintains a high rating (5.0). For instance, the “PayPal Transfer $500” priced at $49 seems disproportionately low for the risk and value involved, suggesting a classic bait-and-switch scam tactic often seen on underground marketplaces.