Police investigation into trading on the Dark Web

The allegations against our client of being a dark web vendor were dropped

This case was part of a worldwide investigation by the London Inner City High Tech and Cyber Fraud Department into trading on the dark web. Our client was alleged to have blackmailed various organisations and individuals around the world by operating on various trading platforms on the Dark Web.

The allegations

Our client was accused of being a dark web vendor code-named Stackz420, who is considered to be one of the most active cyber terrorists in the world. Part of the allegations were that the client was hacking various online companies and selling the data on the dark web.

Our work to defend the client required a huge amount of knowledge of the Dark Web, the Onion Router (a technique for anonymous communication over a computer network), encrypted communication devices and the trading of Bitcoins.

The outcome

The investigation ultimately accepted that the client was working as a cyber vigilante and had adopted the cyber personality of Stackz420 and that his intentions were pure and honest.

Talk to us if being investigated for Cyber Crime

The dark web is only accessible through networks such as TOR (The Onion Routing). TOR browsers create encrypted entry points and pathways for the user, allowing web searches and actions to be anonymous. For this reason, the dark web is the focus of cyber crimes, especially fraud, bitcoin and other financing activities.

It is a fast-moving and fast-changing place and requires deep and detailed knowledge and understanding by solicitors to be able to mount effective defences when representing clients being investigated for this sort of crime. At Hanman Regulatory Solicitors, as this case study shows, we have these skills.

If faced with a regulatory investigation of any kind, contact us or call us immediately for an initial discussion.