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The Hunt for the King of the Dark Web

fern・15 minutes read

A wealthy dark web figure known as Alpha02, mastermind behind AlphaBay, is arrested in Bangkok by authorities from seven countries after a well-coordinated effort, leading to the shutdown of AlphaBay and Hansa Market. Despite the closure, new Darknet platforms emerge, with Hydra rising as a significant player until its eventual closure in 2021 and the relaunch of AlphaBay by "DeSnake."

Insights

  • Alpha02, the mastermind behind AlphaBay, a major dark web marketplace, was revealed to be Alexandre Cazes, a Canadian living in Bangkok, who amassed considerable wealth and assets before his arrest in 2017, ultimately leading to his suicide in custody.
  • The takedown of AlphaBay and Hansa Market by global authorities, through Operation Bayonet, not only marked the end of Alpha02's rule over the dark web but also spurred the emergence of new platforms like Hydra, showcasing the continuous evolution and competition within the realm of illicit online marketplaces.

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Recent questions

  • What is AlphaBay?

    AlphaBay was a prominent dark web marketplace founded by Alpha02 in 2014, offering illicit products and services with user-friendly features and payment options in Bitcoin, Monero, and Ethereum.

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Summary

00:00

Alpha02: Dark Web Kingpin Arrested in Bangkok

  • On July 5th, 2017, in Bangkok, a man known as Alpha02, a wealthy dark web figure, is about to be arrested by the Royal Thai Police, FBI, and DEA.
  • Alpha02, the mastermind behind AlphaBay, a prominent dark web marketplace, has been under investigation by authorities from seven countries for months.
  • The dark web, fueled by Bitcoin, has seen the rise of various marketplaces like Silk Road, Silk Road 2.0, Evolution, and Agora, each facing shutdowns, exit scams, and arrests.
  • AlphaBay, founded by Alpha02 in 2014, quickly became a dominant dark web platform, offering a range of illicit products and services, with a user-friendly interface and payment options in Bitcoin, Monero, and Ethereum.
  • Alpha02, now a multimillionaire, has a team managing AlphaBay, with a PR manager, moderators, and a representative named DeSnake, as he steps back from daily operations.
  • American investigators, led by the DEA, track down Alpha02's true identity, Alexandre Cazes, a Canadian living in Bangkok, through an anonymous tip revealing his email address and online presence.
  • Cazes, living a lavish lifestyle with multiple properties and luxury cars, is finally arrested in Bangkok in July 2017, after meticulous planning by authorities.
  • Concurrently, European authorities, with Dutch and German collaboration, take down the Hansa Market, leading to the launch of "Operation Bayonet" by the FBI, targeting AlphaBay.
  • Operation Bayonet involves law enforcement agencies from seven countries, aiming to shut down AlphaBay while the Dutch control Hansa Market, creating a honeypot to catch unsuspecting criminals.
  • The coordinated efforts result in the successful takedown of the Hansa Market operators and the arrest of Cazes, marking the end of Alpha02's reign over the dark web.

15:22

Dark Web King Rises Amidst Shutdowns

  • A Royal Thai Police force agent orchestrates a plan to lure Alexander Cazes out of his house by causing a minor accident. Cazes is arrested, and investigators find his devices unlocked, allowing access to AlphaBay. Cazes, with a fortune of $23 million, commits suicide in custody, leading to the shutdown of AlphaBay and Hansa Market by global authorities.
  • Following the shutdown of AlphaBay and Hansa Market, new Darknet platforms emerge, with Hydra becoming a significant player until its closure in 2021. "DeSnake" then relaunches AlphaBay, continuing the darknet marketplace's operations, marking a new era in the competition for the title of the King of the Dark Web.
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