Early warning signals for predicting cryptomarket vendor success using dark net forum networks.

ABSTRACT: In this work we focus on identifying key players in dark net cryptomarkets that facilitate online trade of illegal goods. Law enforcement aims to disrupt criminal activity conducted through these markets by targeting key players vital to the market's existence and success. We particularly focus on detecting successful vendors responsible for the majority of illegal trade. Our methodology aims to uncover whether the task of key player identification should center around plainly measuring user and forum activity, or that it requires leveraging specific patterns of user communication. We focus on a large-scale dataset from the Evolution cryptomarket, which we model as an evolving communication network. Results indicate that user and forum activity, measured through topic engagement, is best a

SUBMITTER: Boekhout HD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11251263 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature