ABSTRACT

Past research has considered the ways in which vendors and consumers of illicit goods adapt to various formal and informal threats and manage risk in online environments. However, this topic is virtually unexplored in the context of contract-based violence. Using a sample of 24 advertisements posted on the Open and Dark web, this study utilizes a qualitative case study design to analyze the ways in which vendors attempt to signal legitimacy through the language and images used in their posts. Further, this work outlines the advertised payment structures and prices based on the skill level of contract hitmen, the weapons used, the method of violence, and the status of potential victims. The analysis reveals several ways in which vendors emphasize the privacy and anonymity of their services and highlight their ties to well-recognized organizations (e.g., the military, the mafia) in an attempt to mitigate risk and uncertainty for consumers. In addition, results reveal that online list prices for basic services are higher than previous estimates for similar services offered off-line, suggesting a premium associated with legitimacy and anonymity. These findings contribute to the literature surrounding the market for contract violence, as well as online illicit market processes generally.

摘要

过去的研究已经考虑了非法商品的供应商和消费者适应各种正式和非正式威胁并管理在线环境中的风险的方式。然而，在基于合同的暴力的背景下，这个话题几乎没有被探索过。本研究使用开放和黑暗网络上发布的 24 个广告样本，利用定性案例研究设计来分析供应商试图通过其帖子中使用的语言和图像来表明合法性的方式。此外，这项工作根据合同杀手的技能水平、使用的武器、暴力方法和潜在受害者的身份，概述了广告的支付结构和价格。该分析揭示了供应商强调其服务的隐私性和匿名性并强调其与知名组织（例如军队、黑手党）的联系以试图减轻消费者的风险和不确定性的几种方式。此外，结果显示，基本服务的在线定价高于之前对离线提供的类似服务的估计，这表明与合法性和匿名性相关的溢价。这些发现有助于围绕合同暴力市场以及一般在线非法市场流程的文献。暗示与合法性和匿名性相关的溢价。这些发现有助于围绕合同暴力市场以及一般在线非法市场流程的文献。暗示与合法性和匿名性相关的溢价。这些发现有助于围绕合同暴力市场以及一般在线非法市场流程的文献。