A Dark Reality: The Fight Against Hit-for-Hire Services on the Dark Web

What Would You Do?

Imagine receiving a phone call that shatters your sense of safety. A stranger on the other end reveals that someone has offered money, in the form of cryptocurrency, to have you killed. This unsettling scenario became a reality for many people during an investigation that unfolded in late 2020.

Inside the Call with Elena

On a gray afternoon in November 2020, I joined a video call with my colleague Carl Miller and a woman from Switzerland we’ll refer to as “Elena.” She was a complete stranger to us, yet our reason for contacting her was profound: her life was in danger.

When we delivered the news that a hit was out on her, Elena’s calm demeanor was surprising. “I’m not really surprised,” she responded. “I’m having an ugly divorce.” This single exchange highlighted how personal circumstances can sometimes lead individuals into dangerous situations unbeknownst to them.

A Secretive Operation

I was part of a team that had been working quietly to uncover threats like the one facing Elena. Our efforts spanned approximately eleven countries, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Interpol, and various local police forces. This initiative transformed into a podcast series titled Kill List, produced by Wondery and Novel. Yet, our path to this point was anything but straightforward.

From Podcasting to Investigating

As a podcast producer, my initial focus was on exploring the dark web. In June of 2020, a call from Chris Monteiro—a hacker and dark web researcher—changed everything. Chris had hacked into a site that claimed to offer hitman services. By exploiting a vulnerability, he accessed detailed information revealing the identities of those targeted for assassination, complete with personal details and photographs.

Initially, we were stunned and felt unqualified to handle such a serious matter. Here we were, a couple of journalists during a pandemic, faced with a list of individuals who had prices on their heads. Despite our hesitation, we realized we couldn’t simply walk away.

Unraveling the Truth

Our first task was to assess the actual threat level to the targets. As it turned out, most of the sites were scams; there were no real hitmen involved. Instead, site administrators would concoct excuses for why a hit hadn’t been completed, leading customers to give up on their murderous ambitions. However, the danger was still palpable.

Reading through detailed instructions on how and where to carry out the hits made it clear to us that many clients were deadly serious. Historical data even supported our fears—previous incidents, like the murder of Amy Allwine in 2016, highlighted the real consequences of such online arrangements.

Taking Action

Determined to intervene, we contacted law enforcement agencies. Initially, their response was lackluster. After verifying that Carl was mentally sound, the Metropolitan Police referred our case to Interpol. Once again, we were met with uncertainty.

Frustrated by the lack of communication from law enforcement, we decided to approach the targets directly. However, our initial attempts to contact them were met with skepticism; understandably, many thought we were scams.

Building Trust

To gain credibility, we enlisted local journalists in each target’s country to help bridge the gap. This approach proved fruitful, allowing us to reach victims more effectively. When we informed Elena of her situation, her shocked reaction was a stark reminder of the gravity of our mission.

Throughout the investigation, we connected with various individuals facing death threats, including a fishmonger in Spain and a father in a contentious custody battle in Wisconsin. Each encounter transformed a statistic on a document into a real human being facing existential threats.

The Underlying Issues

Many of these victims found themselves embroiled in situations involving intimate partner violence, a category of crime often overlooked by law enforcement. Our intervention sometimes resulted in arrests, but it also revealed systemic flaws within the criminal justice system. In several cases, victims were dismissed instead of being taken seriously.

As our investigation progressed, the emotional toll of these encounters became significant. Each victim’s story weighed heavily on us, and the demands of the situation were relentless. We pivoted from producing podcast content to focusing entirely on ensuring the safety of these individuals, resulting in an overwhelming workload.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite witnessing some arrests and convictions, the battle against these dark web services continues. Over a span of three years, our team identified 175 hit orders, leading to 34 arrests and 28 convictions. Yet countless individuals remain in peril, aware that someone is plotting against them.

This harrowing journey into the world of online murder-for-hire has illuminated serious gaps in how law enforcement approaches cybercrime. With many targets still waiting for justice, the investigation surrounding the Kill List isn’t over. Following developments closely remains critical in this ongoing battle against a dark aspect of human greed and violence.

Follow Caroline on X at @cathornham. The Kill List podcast from Wondery and Novel is available on multiple platforms.