Dark market investigations are inherently tricky due to the powerful combination of anonymizing communications protocols (TOR), encryption and obfuscation properties cryptocurrencies. But, by using sophisticated heuristics it is possible to analyze dark market operations and correlate purchases with blockchain transactions. This webinar aims to inform participants about current techniques and investigation options to track users of dark marketplaces. 

Specific topics include:

• Overview of building blocks of any dark marketplace – TOR, PGP, cryptocurrency;
• Categorization dark markets according to their business model, and which markets allow the direct transfer of cryptocurrency assets between seller and buyer;
• Toolkits for monitoring and collecting (meta)data about users of such dark marketplaces; and
• Analysis techniques and heuristics that can correlate dark marketplace activities/metadata related to listings and purchases with buyers and sellers. 

The presenter will also cover the current state of their tools, databases, and methodologies, as well as present case studies/success stories of how LEAs used these tools to assesses specific dark marketplaces and ultimately unmask the involved users.