DeepDotWeb was a website that helped users access websites and marketplaces. However, on May 7, 2019, it was shut down and its administrators were arrested following an organized international police operation.
The operation was carried out by the FBI, Europol and federal law enforcement agencies. The countries involved were: Germany, Israel, the Netherlands and Brazil.
Authorities shut down DeepDotWeb and arrested its administrators after allegations that they were receiving millions of dollars for referring users to Dark Web marketplaces and sellers. The arrests were made in Germany, France, Israel, and the Netherlands.
As mentioned above, DeepDotWeb essentially made accessing the Dark Web easier. Specifically, users could read news about the Dark Web as well as learn about black markets and illegal shops that exist on the Tor network. In addition, there was information about each website and links that led users to these services and related forums, to get in touch with other users.
In reality, DeepDotWeb provided direct access to illegal marketplaces, where one could find drugs, weapons, malware , stolen user data, and other illegal products and services.
Israeli media reports that two people of Israeli origin were arrested on suspicion of participating in a site that provided access to the Dark Web and allowed the purchase of weapons, drugs and other illegal goods. Specifically, authorities arrested a 35-year-old from Tel Aviv and a 34-year-old from Ashdod.
The arrests in all countries were made after surveillance of the accused.
The Dark Web has been in the spotlight lately. Just last week, authorities shut down the illegal markets Wall Street Market and Valhalla.
