Incognito Market Operator Arrested for Running Massive Online Narcotics Marketplace

Rui-Siang Lin, known by the alias “Pharoah,” has been arrested for operating Incognito Market, a notorious dark web platform responsible for facilitating over $100 million in illegal narcotics sales globally. Lin was apprehended at John F. Kennedy Airport on May 18, 2024, and is set to appear in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willis.

According to Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Lin ran a sophisticated and dangerous online marketplace, profiting millions of dollars at the expense of public health. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland reinforced this stance, stating that the arrest demonstrates the extensive reach of law enforcement into the dark web to bring criminals to justice.

Incognito operations

As described in a U.S. Department of Justice announcement, Lin's operation spanned nearly four years, during which Incognito Market became one of the largest platforms for illicit narcotics sales, promising anonymity to users while conducting $100 million in transactions.

Incognito Market, which launched in October 2020, allowed users to buy and sell illegal narcotics anonymously. Accessible via the Tor browser on the dark web, the platform featured a user-friendly interface similar to legitimate e-commerce sites, complete with branding, advertising, and customer service. After logging in with a unique username and password, users could search thousands of listings for various narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, oxycodone, methamphetamines, ketamine, and alprazolam.

The market's vendors were required to register and pay an admission fee, contributing 5% of each sale to the site's operations. To maintain user anonymity, transactions were conducted using cryptocurrency, with Incognito Market hosting its own “bank” for users to deposit funds and manage transactions.

Lin's operation extended to selling misbranded prescription medications. In November 2023, an undercover law enforcement agent purchased what was advertised as oxycodone from Incognito Market, which was later identified as fentanyl upon testing. This exemplifies the dangerous nature of the platform's offerings.

Charges and legal proceedings

Lin, 23, of Taiwan, faces several severe charges:

• Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.
• Narcotics conspiracy, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.
• Money laundering, with a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison.
• Conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication, carrying a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison.

The statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress, but a judge will determine the final sentencing.