Feds Nab Incognito Market Owner Accused of Running World's Biggest Narcotics Shop
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
- Feds Nab Incognito Market Owner: A 23-year-old Taiwanese man was arrested in New York for allegedly running one of the world's largest illegal online drug marketplaces, facilitating over $100 million in narcotics sales on the dark web.
- Charges Against Lin: Rui-Siang Lin, also known as "Pharoah," faces charges including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, narcotics conspiracy, and money laundering, with the most serious charge carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.
- Incognito Market Operations: The dark web service operated by Lin, called Incognito Market, incorporated features of legitimate e-commerce sites and facilitated sales of various illicit substances from October 2020 to March 2024.
- Revenue and Profits: Prosecutors allege that the Incognito Market sold significant amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and other drugs, generating over $80 million in revenue, with Lin collecting millions in personal profits.
- Law Enforcement Response: The case is being handled by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, emphasizing the collaboration between law enforcement agencies to target illegal activities on the dark web.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
