Silk Road forums

Discussion => Off topic => Topic started by: grof on September 29, 2012, 11:14 pm

Title: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: grof on September 29, 2012, 11:14 pm
I've been using SR for about 18 months now, and my experience has been great.

I've wondered though, is there a rough count of how many vendors have been busted? Searching has mostly turned up rumors and opinions, which seem to be rarely verified by anyone experienced. Considering there are over 500 vendors now, it would be interesting to put a % to it.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: CrazyBart on September 29, 2012, 11:22 pm
I've been using SR for about 18 months now, and my experience has been great.

I've wondered though, is there a rough count of how many vendors have been busted? Searching has mostly turned up rumors and opinions, which seem to be rarely verified by anyone experienced. Considering there are over 500 vendors now, it would be interesting to put a % to it.

Its way too hard to confirm if any have actually been busted. In my 13 months on the road, i think there was one confirmed case of a vendor getting busted but it wasnt a direct result of SR, it had to do with his real life dealings. If i remember the vendor ill update this post.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: toad on September 29, 2012, 11:32 pm

Its way too hard to confirm if any have actually been busted. In my 13 months on the road, i think there was one confirmed case of a vendor getting busted but it was a direct result of SR, it had to do with his real life dealings. If i remember the vendor ill update this post.

You might be referring to trojan. It appeared his arrest had nothing to do with SR though, and only his IRL dealings like you said:

http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=17711.msg428737#msg428737
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Twelve_Pickles on September 29, 2012, 11:57 pm
Very few, more scams than busts.

although i think the community finding out about Trojan was a bit of luck tbf
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Wadozo on September 30, 2012, 03:09 am
Off the top of my head i can think of two, MoveItNice ( it's never been the same since) and shadh1, both as a result of their SR dealings. MIN from accepting WesternUnion payments and shadh1's online security was flawed (this was pointed out to him by others and ignored).
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: mdmafx on September 30, 2012, 04:20 am
'imprint' was busted as well online drug dealing activities.
Thier was also another Aussie vendor whos name escapes me that was also busted.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: THUMBSuP. on September 30, 2012, 04:37 am
Off the top of my head i can think of two, MoveItNice ( it's never been the same since) and shadh1, both as a result of their SR dealings. MIN from accepting WesternUnion payments and shadh1's online security was flawed (this was pointed out to him by others and ignored).

how was their security "flawed"?
what happened?

thanks.

/thumbs
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Wadozo on September 30, 2012, 08:38 am
 
Quote
Thier was also another Aussie vendor whos name escapes me that was also busted.

Your right. I remember DopeBoyAus was busted but i recall him coming back and writing on his vendor's page it was from him selling IRL and they hadn't, at that point in time, discovered his online activities. He basically said that things didn't look good for him, for no one to send messages and that he hoped to one day again be a part of the revolution (his words, not mine). That was at least 6-7 months ago now. 
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Wadozo on September 30, 2012, 08:43 am
Quote
Thier was also another Aussie vendor whos name escapes me that was also busted.

Your right. I remember DopeBoyAus was busted but i recall him coming back and writing on his vendor's page it was from him selling IRL and they hadn't, at that point in time, discovered his online activities. He basically said that things didn't look good for him, for no one to send messages and that he hoped to one day again be a part of the revolution (his words, not mine). That was at least 6-7 months ago now. 

Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Wadozo on September 30, 2012, 09:07 am
Off the top of my head i can think of two, MoveItNice ( it's never been the same since) and shadh1, both as a result of their SR dealings. MIN from accepting WesternUnion payments and shadh1's online security was flawed (this was pointed out to him by others and ignored).

how was their security "flawed"?
what happened?

thanks.

/thumbs

Thumb's, I vaguely remember it was something to do shadh1 having posted on his vendor's page his private key for PGP beside his public key. One of members on the forum such as Guru, kmfkewm, pine etc, pointed this out to him and I remember them posting his reply which was something along the lines of "Don't worry about me. I've been doing this for a while. I know what I'm doing". If the member who pointed this out to shadh1 remembers this, could you please post if I have got this wrong so I'm not posting any untruths here. I tried to find the original post but had no luck. It was about him displaying something on his vendor's page that he should not have done, which I believe was his Private PGP key. 
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Sleepingdog on September 30, 2012, 09:25 am
Only reason anyone gets busted is because of what goes on in real life and not here on SR. Many years ago only reason I ever got busted was because of druggies squealing to the cops. Thats life. Never trust a druggie. Its that simple.

SD
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: painbow on September 30, 2012, 09:59 am
SR is pretty darn secure for the vendors as long as they put in the time to follow the security protocols.  I think most vendors get caught due to their dealings IRL.

I don't know if there has ever been a confirmed arrest of a vendor strictly due to SR.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Wadozo on September 30, 2012, 10:06 am
Only reason anyone gets busted is because of what goes on in real life and not here on SR. Many years ago only reason I ever got busted was because of druggies squealing to the cops. Thats life. Never trust a druggie. Its that simple.

SD

That is absolute bullshit. If that's what you believe you've got your head stuck in the sand.
If what you say is true, then I'm off to buy some charlie off MIN.  ::) He was busted selling internationally but maybe it was because the anonymous man told the police that MIN lives in Canada, somewhere in a house, I think!  ???
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: painbow on September 30, 2012, 10:12 am
I don't see how a vendor could get busted selling on SR.  There should be nothing traceable back to the vendor once the item has been shipped.

Unless the vendor does something stupid in shipping or packaging process that would leave the traces at USPS.... or accepting payments in other forms beside BTC.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Wadozo on September 30, 2012, 10:40 am
SR is pretty darn secure for the vendors as long as they put in the time to follow the security protocols.  I think most vendors get caught due to their dealings IRL.

I don't know if there has ever been a confirmed arrest of a vendor strictly due to SR.

Most vendor's do, but not all.

Here is a clearnet link to what happened to him.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/news/afp/2012/july/afp-and-Customs-warn-users-of-silk-road.aspx

There was always MoveItNice, who was busted with about a half kilo of coke at his home on top of Police having intercepted more than 200 grams at the post office, ready to be shipped world wide. Pretty sure it happened in Ottawa, Canada. I'm sure you could find it if you have a look for it.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: boy of joy on September 30, 2012, 11:59 am
bout a year ago a vendor called redgreen got busted, was shipping QP upwards to worldwide of the finest masterkush - best on the road!, but he then got 5 US packages seized in a row and continued to sell, then got raided and busted, the police didnt link it to SR, i was
messaged by his mate just after he was busted, saying he may continue his business, i never messaged back.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Wadozo on September 30, 2012, 12:08 pm
bout a year ago a vendor called redgreen got busted, was shipping QP upwards to worldwide of the finest masterkush - best on the road!, but he then got 5 US packages seized in a row and continued to sell, then got raided and busted, the police didnt link it to SR, i was
messaged by his mate just after he was busted, saying he may continue his business, i never messaged back.

Smart move  ;D
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: orngecapsule on September 30, 2012, 01:43 pm
I also don't understand how vendors could get busted through SR.
how would the piglet LE know the vendor's location?
all this talk about them getting arrested because of shipping international translates to: they shipped to australia which seems to have the biggest hard on for SR. australia is so fucking in tune with SR it's ridiculous.
but this kind of banter has vendors deciding not to ship worldwide, which is truly a FUCKING shame. other countries don't have to suffer because of australia's bullshit.
vendors can ship worldwide and remain completely anonymous .. just pop those envelopes weighing under 13oz into one of those thousand cute american mailboxes, with proper stampage..
wear gloves the whole time, keep a low profile IRL. deal only with SR. follow the security protocols like a previous poster mentioned.
don't write off international shipping because of these few unfortunate tragedies.
my sympathy goes to those busted vendors sitting in their cells. they're probably despising, HATING australia to DEATH right now.
they probably want to stab a kangaroo.

other countries like mine for example have not even the slightest clue or understanding about SR or the concept of ordering drugs on the internet. fortunately.  100% success rate so far here.

so vendors: PLEASE don't deny us cute international customers. maybe depending on the country, make your decision. but besides australia other countries should be OK to service.

mailing worldwide is just like mailing within USA, if it's a smaller under 13oz envelope.
no trips to the post office, no extra work. just extra stamps. charge more for shipping. i don't mind paying extra.

i am not a vendor but i've done my homework so without giving out packaging or strategy details i'm just repeating the obvious "rules":
wear gloves while packaging and handling the contents + envelope.
never lick those envelopes to glue them fuckers shut. your dna is your worst enemy
print labels with addresses and name all in CAPS and keep the label looking neat and aligned
add a cute lil LOGO stamped on your envelope, a brand (example: JOESHMOE UNIQUE GIFTS, Inc). this 100% adds an aura and appearance of legitimacy to the envelope
vacuum wrap of course, odorless, etc
if you must login to USPS, do it only under T0R. get a prepaid credit card that will be funded and not have any of your real details on it. register that USPS account as a business and use that card to print postage
small love letter or business document letters type envelopes that BLEND in with the HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS are obviously preferred
apparently USPS is preferred. their workers require law enforcement officials with a warrant to open sealed mail
drop off in mailboxes during normal hours, maybe in a different neighborhood or STATE (if possible) from yours
don't reuse envelopes
be extra creative and clever with your stealth packaging. always try to improve your stealth
never use too many stamps, calculate the correct amount
don't start bragging to friends about your new source of income - this should be first in this list in bold and in caps
just don't mention SR even to your most trusted friend, even your grandmother
remain low profile and don't fucking OPEN YOUR MOUTH. be humble.
no need to wear latex gloves, just wear winter gloves when dropping off at a mailbox
keep your browser history and PGP software clean and always TRASH all customer's addresses, info
stay on TOR when researching shit regarding your operation
FLAT, FLAT, FLAT. keep your envelopes flatter than a skating rink
trust noone
dark baggies are better than the standard transparent clear baggies
usps priority or even better first class mail is much preferred over express for the obvious fact that there are millions less to process / screen with express
don't overdo the DUCTAPING, and using too much tape to wrap the package / envelope.
keep it simple, imagine you're sending a BASEBALL CARD.
TRUST NOONE, DON'T OPEN YOUR FUCKING MOUTH TO ANYONE
commit to selling ONLY on SR. make a decision between 2 options: either dealing on SR, or dealing IRL. choose and COMMIT to that decision.
it's hard denying IRL customers and their money but IMO the commitment to completely DENY IRL dealing is ESSENTIAL to staying safe. 
if you must go to the post office, keep your demeanor / energy calm and normal, wear a hat to hide your features from cctv, and go to an office far from your residence. find a post office that has dim-witted or "oafish" employees.
avoid those cuntish vigilant NOSY type postal workers that take their job too seriously and may seem sharp and overly aware.

sounds fucked up, but there are many mentally challenged or handicapped people given jobs at post offices so find a location with unsuspecting oblivious workers. most of them are.

i think the scenarios that went down with those unfortunate arrests was some dealer was involved in IRL shadiness and dealings and got busted that way. then possibly LE found out about his SR activity through his snitch friends or searching his possessions / computers.. maybe found passwords and all kinds of incriminating evidence that ASSRAPED these poor vendors.

here is an idea: if it's rx pills you're shipping, print out an official looking dr's note with some fake logo off google images
with some medical mumbo jumbo. medicine is shipped every day in this way.

there are many truly clever packaging methods but i won't share specifics due to the obvious reasons.
everything i noted here is well known BASICS that have been mentioned several times on here .. nothing revealing of any value to LE.

i know vendors must be reading this, so don't let these examples discourage or spook you.

love,
mrdobolina

Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: grof on September 30, 2012, 02:09 pm
Hats off guys, thanks for the fantastic answers.

In the case of MoveItNice
"There was always MoveItNice, who was busted with about a half kilo of coke at his home on top of Police having intercepted more than 200 grams at the post office, ready to be shipped world wide. Pretty sure it happened in Ottawa, Canada."

I haven't found the details, does anyone know how they found his house? Are they turned on to SR at all up in Canada? I heard they passed new hardcore drug laws earlier this year with their new fascist government  :o.

Thanks again, great information.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Limetless on September 30, 2012, 02:22 pm
Add Davidd to the list, he has just been popped and has turn snitch.

Anyone who has dealt with him would be wise to clean house now, I've received several messages that point to him storing addresses and that he's flipped on those he has dealt with.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Wadozo on September 30, 2012, 02:55 pm
Hats off guys, thanks for the fantastic answers.

In the case of MoveItNice
"There was always MoveItNice, who was busted with about a half kilo of coke at his home on top of Police having intercepted more than 200 grams at the post office, ready to be shipped world wide. Pretty sure it happened in Ottawa, Canada."

I haven't found the details, does anyone know how they found his house? Are they turned on to SR at all up in Canada? I heard they passed new hardcore drug laws earlier this year with their new fascist government  :o.

Thanks again, great information.

grof, here is the latest clearnet link about MIN's (and families) arrest.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/05/29/accused-drug-smugglers-get-bail

The details are now under a court suppression order. However, if you read this article from Gawker, written on July 16, 2012, it goes into some of the details for you. It also covers some of the rumors and innuendo being tossed around about this great site, especially there theory on DPR. The following link is also a clearnet one.

http://gawker.com/5926440/are-authorities-closing-in-on-the-online-drug-market-silk-road

Hope that helps.  :)
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Limetless on September 30, 2012, 02:59 pm
Lol Gawker, never has there been a more sultry bunch of misleading and untruth-telling whores.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: wizdom on September 30, 2012, 05:21 pm

I also don't understand how vendors could get busted through SR.
how would the piglet LE know the vendor's location?...
TRUST NOONE, DON'T OPEN YOUR FUCKING MOUTH TO ANYONE
commit to selling ONLY on SR...
mrdobolina


+1  :)  for a really great roundup of vendor best practices (curiously good for non-vendor - perhaps a little CYA fibbing).

All vendors should read all of that and be sure you are following this customer's instructions. He knows his shit.

Modzi
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: painbow on September 30, 2012, 07:36 pm
I seriously have no idea how a SR vendor could get busted unless they are using same return addresses and same post office to mail every damn day.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: Wadozo on September 30, 2012, 09:23 pm
I seriously have no idea how a SR vendor could get busted unless they are using same return addresses and same post office to mail every damn day.

There are ways Authorities could trace where a vendor operates from and only a fool would under estimate there capabilities and the resources they have at their disposal. Once an opening is found in there MO, LE can try to exploit that vulnerability and gather the intelligence needed to pursue the investigation. I finally found the Thread on shadh1 and his poor security practices. It's written by Guru, who undoubtedly knows his shit and is a well respected member and Spam Buster of this forum, located on Page 2 and it's Post No.8. - http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=31481.15

As Guru wrote, shadh1 is not the only vendor who is guilty of such things.
Title: Re: Paranoia aside, how many vendors have been busted?
Post by: grof on September 30, 2012, 11:50 pm
Quote
And these lateset ripples probably are just another wave of unfounded paranoia that sweeps periodically through this dark corner of the web, fueled by the mind-bending substances traded there and the anonymity that makes the whole thing possible. Maybe MiN disappeared because he was a scammer, and the other vendors just got sick of dealing mail-order drugs. Maybe Dread Pirate Roberts is on vacation with the winner of his 4/20 contest. Or maybe it's something else.
;D Is that supposed to be journalism? Sad.

Another great reminder: don't accept anything other than BTC! How exactly did they track the Western Union I wonder.