Who pays for assassinations on the dark web? | Carl Miller | TEDxManchester

About this Video

• Video Title: Who pays for assassinations on the dark web? | Carl Miller | TEDxManchester
• Channel: TEDx Talks
• Speakers: Carl Miller
• Duration: 00:14:46

Introduction

This TEDx Talk by Carl Miller details his investigation into a dark web website offering assassination services. Miller describes how he and a hacker uncovered a "kill list" of targets and the surprisingly ordinary individuals who paid for these hits, highlighting the ease with which such services can be accessed and the motivations behind the orders.

Key Takeaways

• Dark web assassination services are surprisingly accessible: The website Miller investigated appeared amateurish but offered direct transactions for murder.
• Kill orders came from ordinary people: The clients were not necessarily part of organized crime, but rather individuals driven by personal vendettas, often involving family disputes and intense desires for control.
• The "hitmen" were likely non-existent: The investigation revealed that the operators of the website were likely not facilitating actual assassinations, but rather extorting money from clients under the guise of carrying out their requests.
• Law enforcement response varied: Miller's initial report to the Metropolitan Police was met with skepticism, leading him and a colleague to directly warn the intended victims.
• The ease of access to such services lowers the barriers to violence: The dark web makes the process of hiring an assassin seemingly straightforward and thus increases the potential for violence driven by personal conflicts.