430 Million Dark Web Marketplace - Chicago Sun-Times

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Thomas Pavey of Ormond Beach, Florida, and Raheim Hamilton of Suffolk, Virginia, are accused of owning and operating Empire Market from 2018 to 2020, helping facilitate transactions valued at over $430 million.

The indictment, filed Thursday, states that Pavey, who went by the name "Dopenugget" and Hamilton, known as both "Sydney" and "Zero Angel," worked together

Vendors and buyers were able to access the marketplace through specialized software to hide their identity. All transactions were in cryptocurrency.

Vendors shipped illegal items to buyers across the country, including some in the Northern District of Illinois, prosecutors said. Items were delivered digitally and in physical packages to addresses provided by the buyers.

Pavey and Hamilton took a portion of each transaction and the money was used to fund themselves and the site, according to the indictment.