Alexandre Cazes, the alleged owner of AlphaBay, one of the largest darknet marketplaces at the time, was arrested in July 2017. AlphaBay was known for facilitating the sale of a wide range of illegal goods and services, including drugs, stolen data, hacking tools, counterfeit items, and more. Cazes was a Canadian citizen, and his arrest and subsequent death are significant events in the history of darknet marketplaces.
Here's what is known about how he was caught:
Here's what is known about how he was caught:
- Operational Security Mistakes: Despite his efforts to maintain anonymity and security, Cazes made several operational security mistakes that ultimately led to his identification. Law enforcement agencies, particularly the FBI, were actively investigating AlphaBay.
- Email Address Exposure: One of the key mistakes made by Cazes was his use of a personal email address for various administrative tasks related to AlphaBay. This email address was associated with his real identity, allowing law enforcement to trace it back to him.
- Server Logs: AlphaBay's servers were located in various countries, and Cazes used encryption and other security measures to protect them. However, when he accessed the servers without using proper security protocols on one occasion, investigators were able to trace his IP address, leading them closer to his real identity.
- Password Recovery Email: Cazes used his personal Gmail account as a recovery email for one of his AlphaBay-related accounts. This made it possible for authorities to gain access to his Gmail account, where they found additional evidence linking him to AlphaBay.
- International Cooperation: The investigation into AlphaBay involved law enforcement agencies from multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, and Thailand. They worked together to gather evidence and coordinate the takedown of the marketplace.
- Arrest in Thailand: Cazes was arrested on July 5, 2017, in Thailand at his residence. Thai authorities acted on an extradition request from the United States. He was found dead in his prison cell in an apparent suicide on July 12, 2017, just days after his arrest.