Publications

The SECI model and darknet markets: Knowledge creation in criminal organizations and communities of practice

Marie-Helen MarasJana ArsovskaAdam Scott WandtKenji LogieMelanie Knieps

This study examines darknet markets through the lens of a business theory on knowledge management. Taking epistemological and ontological dimensions into consideration, this study uses Nonaka’s (1991) SECI model as a theoretical framework to identify and describe how tacit and explicit knowledge is created and shared on Silk Road, Pandora and Agora darknet markets, and how people affect this process. By studying this process, insights can be obtained into darknet market criminal organizations and communities of practice and their impact on the continuity and resilience of illicit darknet markets. This project used data from the Internet Archive collection of publicly available darknet market scrapes between 2011 and 2015 from Branwen et al. (2015). We observed instances of the SECI model (socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization) on darknet markets in both criminal organizations and communities of practice. Darknet market leaders and groups facilitated both knowledge creation and sharing. This study is the first to test the SECI model on darknet markets. The study provides an understanding of the complexity and resilience of darknet markets, as well as valuable information to help guide law enforcement agencies efforts to stop the illicit trade of goods and services.

Full Abstract

This project used data from the Internet Archive collection of publicly available darknet market scrapes between 2011 and 2015 from Branwen et al. (2015). We observed instances of the SECI model (socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization) on darknet markets in both criminal organizations and communities of practice. Darknet market leaders and groups facilitated both knowledge creation and sharing. This study is the first to test the SECI model on darknet markets. The study provides an understanding of the complexity and resilience of darknet markets, as well as valuable information to help guide law enforcement agencies efforts to stop the illicit trade of goods and services.

Maras, M.-H., Arsovska, J., Wandt, A. S., Knieps, M., & Logie, K. (2024). The SECI model and darknet markets: Knowledge creation in criminal organizations and communities of practice. European Journal of Criminology, 21(2), 165-190. https://doi.org/10.1177/14773708221115167

The article can be found here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/14773708221115167

See all: Publications

Decoding hidden darknet networks: What we learned about the illicit fentanyl trade on Alphabay

Marie-Helen MarasKenji LogieAdam Scott WandtBryce BarthulyJana Arsovska

The opioid epidemic, impacted from the proliferation of fentanyl, has added impetus to the need to detect fentanyl, sources of fentanyl, and places where fentanyl and drugs adulterated with fentanyl are available. Many darknet marketplaces (DNMs) have rules that ban fentanyl. However, it is unclear how these affect the fentanyl market. Using the AlphaBay DNM as a case study, we conducted mixed methods qualitative research. We scraped and analyzed data from the AlphaBay I2P website using, among other methods, content and social network analysis, to uncover hidden fentanyl networks.

Full Abstract

Our research highlights the next evolution of darknet marketplaces– the migration of DNMs from Tor to I2P and the methods that can be used identify fentanyl networks, irrespective of where sites are: I2P, Tor, or multihomed on I2P andTor. Despite its ban in the Global AlphaBay Rules, our research revealed the sale of fentanyl on the AlphaBay DNM. Unlike previous studies, our findings predominantly revealed the covert sale of fentanyl on AlphaBay and predatory vendors selling illicit drugs, which unbeknownst to buyers, contained fentanyl. To a lesser extent, our findings identified the overt sale of fentanyl patches on AlphaBay. Although we examined only one DNM, the prevalence of the covert sale of fentanyl and the presence of predatory vendors underscores the importance of research that decodes the language of vendors who surreptitiously sell fentanyl or drugs adulterated with fentanyl or other illicit substances. The results of our research can inform strategies aimed at disrupting and dismantling DNM fentanyl networks.

Maras M-H, Logie K, Arsovska J, Wandt AS, Barthuly B. Decoding hidden darknet networks:What we learned about the illicit fentanyl trade on AlphaBay. J Forensic Sci. 2023;68:1451–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15341

The article can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author/BS2FPUJXQMJICXGWM4HF?target=10.1111/1556-4029.15341

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Understanding the Intersection between Technology and Kidnapping: A Typology of Virtual Kidnapping

Understanding the Intersection between Technology and Kidnapping: A Typology of Virtual Kidnapping

Marie-Helen MarasJana Arsovska

No longer limited by geographic locations and in-person interactions, criminals have leveraged information and communication technology to commit virtual kidnappings. In its simplest form, a virtual kidnapping is a cyber-enabled crime where criminals contact targets (falsely) claiming to have kidnapped a significant other, child, or other relative and threatening to cause death or serious bodily harm to the person unless a ransom is paid.

Funding Source

Faculty Scholarship grant, Office for the Advancement of Research at John Jay College

See all: Peer-reviewed journal articles
[virtual kidnapping]