German Authorities Raid ‘Nemesis Market’ in Significant International Darknet Operation

German authorities have announced the shutdown of an illicit underground marketplace known as Nemesis Market, which trafficked in narcotics, stolen data, and various cybercrime services.

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Germany, Lithuania, and the U.S., conducted the operation on March 20, 2024. It involved seizing the digital infrastructure associated with the darknet service located in Germany and Lithuania, as well as confiscating €94,000 ($102,107) in cryptocurrency assets.

The operation follows an extensive investigation that began in October 2022.

Nemesis Market, founded in 2021, is estimated to have had over 150,000 user accounts and 1,100 seller accounts from around the world before its shutdown. Nearly 20% of the seller accounts were from Germany.

According to the BKA, the marketplace offered a wide range of goods, including narcotics, fraudulently obtained data and goods, as well as cybercrime services such as ransomware, phishing, and DDoS attacks.

The agency stated that ongoing investigations into criminal sellers and users of the platform are currently underway. However, as of now, no arrests have been made.