A Taiwanese national has been charged and arrested for operating Incognito Market, a darknet drug marketplace, after authorities tracked the platform’s transactions.

The platform facilitated over $100 million in cryptocurrency transactions through the sale of illegal drugs like fentany

Incognito Market Founder Arrested and Charg

On May 18, U.S. authorities arrested Rui-Siang Lin, 23, also known as "Pharoah," at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. According to FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith, Lin managed Incognito Market for about four years, overseeing its operations, including vendors, employees, and customers, and was the primary decision-maker

During this period, Lin accrued millions of dollars in personal profit, and Incognito Market became one of the largest online drug sales platforms, dealing in substances like Adderall, MDMA, LSD, and cocaine using Monero and Bitcoin. Lin took a 5% commission on every sale as users transferred funds through the platfor

Lin faces charges including money laundering, operating a continuing criminal enterprise, narcotics conspiracy, and conspiracy to sell misbranded and adulterated medicatio

The FBI identified Lin as the owner of Incognito Market by tracking cryptocurrency transactions from the marketplace to an exchange account in his name. FBI task force officer Mark Rubens stated that the exchange provided Lin’s driver’s license, email, and phone numbe

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized that the dark web is not a safe haven for illegal activities when Lin appeared in court on Monda

Lin Faces Life Senten

Incognito Market shut down in March following an exit scam that left users unable to access their funds. Administrators then reportedly demanded fees from vendors ranging from $100 to $20,000 to prevent customer data from being leaked

Despite the allegations, Lin, who identifies as a crypto developer and Monero enthusiast, disclosed on X that he conducted a workshop on cybercrime and cryptocurrency for 30 police officers at the Saint Lucia Police Academy in early Apri

If convicted, Lin faces a mandatory life sentence for the criminal enterprise charge. Ross Ulbricht, who operated the Silk Road darknet drug marketplace, faced similar charges and received a life sentence. The narcotics conspiracy charge alone carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum potential sentence of life imprisonment, while the other charges could result in an additional 25 years in prison.Marine Moguls ERC-404 Launch with $2.9 Million in Prizes for Token Holdersl..cey.r.n.m..edl. 25 years in prison.