Hidden Marketplace – TOR Scam Report (1)
Onion Link: http://hidden2h77d53dvbftj6exhfi5llymfdxw5s5fe5nytauql2ztpxofad.onion
Scam Report Date: 2024/05/04
Client Scam Report Breakdown
Original Report Summary:
The scam report in question relates to a transaction on Hidden Marketplace™, a dark web platform offering illegal goods and services, including credit card fraud, fake money, and money transfers. According to the original client report, the buyer made a payment for a PayPal money transfer on May 1, 2024, but the order remained “processing” with no further updates from either the seller or the marketplace support team. The user notes that they attempted to contact both parties, but received no response. Additionally, the user expressed frustration when their review of the seller was permanently kept under moderation. Ultimately, they lost $59 to this scam and sarcastically mentioned trying another “trusted” link in the future.
Photos:
This report highlights several critical issues with Hidden Marketplace’s operation. First, there is the non-responsiveness of both sellers and platform support, suggesting systemic problems with customer service and accountability. In dark web marketplaces, escrow services are often employed as a form of buyer protection, where the payment is only released to the seller once the product is delivered and verified. However, in this case, the escrow protection either failed, or the platform never intended to uphold this safeguard, as the order was stalled indefinitely without recourse. The buyer’s review being stuck under moderation also points to potential manipulation of reviews, where the platform may be attempting to conceal negative feedback from other buyers. This adds another layer of distrust and undermines the legitimacy of the platform.
Terminology & Definitions:
Processing: In e-commerce, “processing” typically refers to the stage where an order is confirmed but has yet to be shipped. On a marketplace like Hidden, this may also involve awaiting cryptocurrency verification. However, in this case, it seems to have been used to stall the buyer indefinitely.
PayPal Money Transfer: This refers to a transaction in which a PayPal account is used to move funds electronically to another party. In dark web transactions, “clean” PayPal accounts are often touted to entice buyers, but they frequently turn out to be fraudulent.
Escrow Protection: A safeguard in online transactions, especially in risky environments like dark web markets, where the funds are held by a neutral third party (escrow) until the buyer confirms receipt of the product. If the product doesn’t match the description or isn’t delivered, the buyer can claim a refund. This system is often misrepresented or outright fake on illicit platforms.
Under Moderation: This term suggests that the user’s negative review was intentionally stalled or hidden by the platform. On marketplaces, this tactic is sometimes used to prevent potential buyers from seeing warnings about fraudulent sellers.
This case is a stark example of how users are exploited on hidden marketplaces, where anonymity and the unregulated environment make it difficult to hold sellers accountable.
