US Treasury Department Imposes Sanctions on Behrouz Parsarad
The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Behrouz Parsarad, an Iranian national accused of managing the now-defunct Nemesis darknet marketplace. As part of the action, authorities blacklisted 49 Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR) addresses linked to him.
Sanctions Announcement
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the sanctions on March 4, as part of an international operation dismantling Nemesis earlier in 2024. This move is part of OFAC’s ongoing efforts to dismantle illicit online marketplaces.
Nemesis Darknet Marketplace
- Parsarad profited from Nemesis by charging users transaction fees, amassing millions over the marketplace’s lifespan.
- Nemesis served as a hub for cybercriminals and drug traffickers, enabling the sale of illicit substances and services.
- Authorities estimate that between 2021 and 2024, Nemesis facilitated over $30 million in drug sales.
- The platform also offered additional illegal services, including forged identification documents and professional hacking services.
- Reports suggest Parsarad has already begun discussing launching a new darknet marketplace with vendors despite Nemesis’ shutdown.
Parasad’s On-Chain Activity
A blockchain investigation by Chainalysis revealed that Parsarad funneled over $12,000 to other darknet marketplaces, such as ASAP, Incognito, and Next Generation. His Bitcoin wallets received over $850,000 from addresses associated with illicit transactions.
- Parsarad moved over $1.6 million in crypto, leveraging Bitcoin’s price fluctuations to grow his holdings.
- He had no direct on-chain links to Iranian financial services but significant exposure to darknet marketplaces and indirect connections to crypto mixers.
- Parsarad deliberately obscured his illicit activities to evade detection due to Iran’s strict penalties for drug-related offenses.
