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Two suspects have been arrested in Romania in connection with a bogus dark web ‘murder for hire’ website used by Helen Hewlett in 2022.
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Police reported that the site “Online Killers Marketplace” provided false offers to clients of hired killers, as well as providing extortion services, and took payments for these services.
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The collaborative investigations of law enforcement agencies all over the world led to raids in which police seized more than $600,000 in cryptocurrencies along with large amounts of cash.
Two suspects were arrested in Romania for their part in a global conspiracy and the operation of their website, which offered “Murder for Rent” or “Murder for Hire” services.
A website used by Helen Hewlett (aged 44 years) and residing in King’s Lynn (UK) to hire someone to execute (kill) her ex-lover (Paul Belton), following their recent breakup.
Fake Hitman Website Linked to Earlier UK Conviction
Hewlett had worked with Belton at Hain Daniels food factory and Kinnerton Confectionery in Fakenham before finding a fake hitman on the dark web to arrange for his murder.
In August 2022, Norfolk police received a report of a post on a dark website seeking “someone to kill in Norfolk”, adding it was vital that the death looked accidental.
Using cryptocurrency as payment, he sent approximately £17000 on the first of December of last year to hire a contract killer to carry out the murder, as well as a total of eight weeks or potentially more of ongoing stalking behaviors on or around the victim’s property.
In January 2023, Norwich Crown Court sentenced the defendant to 12.5 years in custody for soliciting murder and various stalking charges, consisting of 7.5 years in prison followed by a 5-year extension after release.
Romanian Raids Target Suspected Site Operators
The latest development in this case relates to the unmasking of those involved in the operation of the fraudulent site and the benefit they gained from the legitimate financial transactions made by customers.
On January 14, 2023, members of the East Region Special Operations Unit (E-ERSOU) and Romanian cybercrime investigators executed search warrants simultaneously at three locations in the Bucharest region.
The operation supported by the UK’s national crime agency and EUROPOL was the first phase of a long-term global strategy to break apart the network running the fraudulent website and criminal enterprise related to it.
Romanian authorities continue to investigate both individuals (33 and 35 years old), who remain released from custody while awaiting further investigation or prosecution decisions.
$600,000 in Crypto and Large Cash Sums Were Seized
Officers have recovered enormous amounts of cash from a series of search operations, which resulted in officers recovering crypto with an estimated value of $600,000.
The search operations led officers to recover approximately €50,000 in euros and about £48,000 in Romania in cash, which investigators believe came from funds generated by the scam website.
The website falsely presented itself as a criminal marketplace for hiring hitmen, extorting, and engaging in other illegal activities. However, all of the advertised services offered by the website did not exist.
In spite of this, police forces around the globe have successfully prosecuted individuals attempting to arrange serious crimes via the website as well as intervened on behalf of intended victims.
ERSOU officials reported that they would continue to work together with their international partners in order to deconstruct all remaining network infrastructure associated with the website.
Law Enforcement Commends International Cooperation
ERSOU Chief Inspector Mike Pereira said this case was a success due to collaboration amongst multiple agencies despite the complexity of the investigation. He considers it one of his most difficult cases to date and thanked everyone involved for their effort and commitment.
The cooperative effort of many people allowed us to get cyber teams to work effectively as quickly as possible so they could locate the individuals behind these crimes and provide protection for any other potential victims.
He commended Romanian law enforcement for their significant assistance in conducting coordinated raids, which helped seize multiple key assets related to the operation.
This model of cross-border policing is essential for tackling the diverse ecosystem of dark web crime, which also includes the trafficking of stolen data, exemplified by the arrest of a teen hacker in Spain over the sale of 64 million people’s data on the dark web.
Wider Enforcement Actions Against Darknet Crime-for-hire Scams
Authorities assert that this case illustrates the rapidly rising issue of dedicated fraudulent crime-for-hire websites found operating within the dark net.
They seek to exploit individuals looking to arrange for violent criminal acts and charge those individuals large amounts of cryptocurrency without any intent or capability to complete the advertised crime.
Law enforcement indicates that individuals who seek out these websites will ultimately be fully criminally liable for any illegal activity.
Meanwhile, international authorities will continue enforcement actions to disrupt criminal profits and identify users early, preventing any real-world harm before it occurs.
These actions target a wide spectrum of dark web crime, from fraudulent services to data theft, as seen in the recent FBI operation that disrupted a dark web group behind the Qantas airline hack.
