U.S. authorities have announced the arrest of the alleged mastermind of a notorious dark web marketplace that allowed users to buy and sell illegal drugs anonymously.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says that 23-year-old Rui-siang Lin, from Taiwan, was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport on May 18th and subsequently charged for allegedly owning and operating Incognito Market under the pseudonym "Pharoah" or "Faro."

The DOJ says Incognito sold more than $100 million worth of illegal drugs and misbranded prescription medication from when it was formed in October 2020 until it was shut down in March 2024.

Users worldwide also purportedly used cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR) to transact on the illicit marketplace.

Four Years of Illicit Operations

According to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Assistant Director in Charge James Smith, "For nearly four years, Rui-Siang Lin allegedly operated 'Incognito Market,' one of the largest online platforms for narcotics sales, conducting $100 million in illicit narcotics transactions and reaping millions of dollars in personal profits.

Under the promise of anonymity, Lin's alleged operation offered the purchase of lethal drugs and fraudulent prescription medication on a global scale."

Lin allegedly had the ultimate decision-making authority over every aspect of Incognito's operation. He is also said to have controlled more than 1,000 vendors and over 200,000 customers.

The Complaint and Charges

The complaint filed by FBI Task Force Officer Mark Rubins states, "As the principal administrator of Marketplace-1, LIN profits the most from Marketplace-1's activities.

LIN also implements site policies and determines whether a particular vendor is permitted to sell narcotics on Marketplace-1."

Lin is charged with one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, one count of narcotics conspiracy, one count of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication.

A Global Operation

The Incognito Market, which operated for nearly four years, was a hub for illegal drug transactions on a global scale. Users of this marketplace transacted using cryptocurrencies, leveraging the anonymity these digital currencies offer. This operation posed a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies worldwide.

The arrest of Rui-siang Lin marks a significant milestone in the fight against dark web marketplaces. The DOJ and FBI have reiterated their commitment to bringing similar perpetrators to justice, ensuring a safer online environment.