An Assessment of Hitmen and Contracted Violence Providers Operating Online

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2153448
AutoresA L Roddy (0000-0001-8784-5433, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, autor correspondente), Thomas J Holt (0000-0002-5894-0172, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA)
Ano2022
Volume43
Fascículo2
Páginas139-151
Data de publicação2022-02-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoDeviant Behavior (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0163-9625 • E-ISSN: 1521-0456
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01639625.2020.1787763
OpenAlexW3039189494
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas23

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

Advertising · Anonymity · Business · Computer security · Context (archaeology · Internet privacy · Legitimacy · Payment · Political science · Public relations · Sample (material · Computer Science · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies · Law · Finance