The dark network known as the Incognito Market, popular for its drug offerings, has recently announced a mass blackmail campaign against its own users. The threat involves the publication of transaction data in cryptocurrencies and private correspondence if a ransom is not paid.
The redemption amounts range from $100 to $20,000. This announcement came shortly after the market’s administration executed an “Exit Scam,” blocking millions of dollars in withdrawals.
On the main page of the Incognito Market, a message warns of the imminent public disclosure of seller records for those who refuse to pay for confidentiality. The owners claim to have gathered over 557,000 orders and 862,000 cryptocurrency identifiers, set to be published by the end of May.
Furthermore, the administrators have mentioned the creation of a “White List” for buyers looking to erase their transaction history, promising this option will be available in a few weeks. However, trusting the attackers remains a questionable decision.
Adding to the chaos, users have reported difficulties in withdrawing funds from their accounts following the blackmail announcement. A publication by Cointelegraph on March 6 reveals that Incognito is running an “Exit Scam,” depriving users of their bitcoins and Monero deposits. Initially, the market administration misled users about the withdrawal issues being related to system changes before disclosing their nefarious intentions.
With a focus on drug sales, many users on the Incognito Market are now worried about being exposed as drug dealers. The main page of the site features sellers who have “protected the confidentiality of their customers.”
This double blackmail tactic mirrors the strategies of ransomware groups that access sensitive information, demand payment for data restoration, and threaten to release stolen data if no ransom is paid.
The amount of support offered to sellers on the Incognito Market depends on their status within the platform. Level 1 sellers can prevent data exposure by paying $100, while higher-tier sellers at level 5 are asked for $20,000.
Past incidents have shown that such fraudulent practices are common among dark markets that have evaded closure by law enforcement for extended periods. When these criminals decide to cease operations, they often do so dramatically, leaving with millions of dollars contributed by other criminals who believed in the platform’s credibility and integrity.