Incognito Market (2020-March 2024)
eventDarknet & Cyber
A darknet drug market's owner tried to blackmail his own users before getting caught and sentenced to 30 years.
Who they are
Incognito Market, a drug-focused darknet marketplace running from 2020 to March 2024.
What they do
It was an online black market for narcotics that ended in an exit scam.
How it works
It facilitated over $100 million in sales, and in March 2024 its administrator Rui-Siang Lin ran an exit scam, threatening to release unencrypted buyer and vendor data to police unless ransoms were paid; he was arrested in May 2024 and sentenced to 30 years that December.
Why it matters
It illustrates how darknet market operators can turn on their own users, weaponizing the sensitive data they collect.
The engine's record — word for word
Narcotics-focused darknet market 2020 - March 2024. Facilitated $100M+ in sales. Administrator Rui-Siang Lin executed exit scam March 2024 — threatened to release unencrypted buyer/vendor data to law enforcement unless ransoms paid. Lin arrested by HSI May 2024; sentenced 30 years prison December 2024.
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