Rui-Siang Lin, also known as Ruisiang Lin, “Pharoah,” and “faro,” was arrested on May 18 in the United States for allegedly running “Incognito Market,” one of the largest illegal narcotics marketplaces on the dark web.

The 23-year-old Taiwanese national faces a series of severe charges that could lead to a lifetime in prison.

According to the complaint and indictment, Lin operated Incognito Market since its inception in October 2020 until its closure in March 2023. During this period, the marketplace facilitated the sale of more than $100 million worth of illegal narcotics, including hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamines, to users worldwide. Incognito Market was accessible globally through the Tor web browser.

Lin, under the pseudonym “Pharoah,” managed all aspects of Incognito Market’s operations. His responsibilities included overseeing employees, vendors, and customers, as well as making critical decisions for the multimillion-dollar enterprise. The market functioned similarly to legitimate e-commerce sites, featuring branding, advertising, and customer service, which made it easier for users to search and purchase illicit drugs.

To operate as a vendor on Incognito Market, individuals had to register and pay an admission fee. Vendors were charged a 5% commission on each sale, which contributed to the site's operational costs, including employee salaries and server maintenance. The market generated millions in profits for Lin, facilitated through an internal “bank” system where users could deposit cryptocurrency into their accounts. After completing transactions, funds were transferred between buyer and seller accounts, maintaining user anonymity.

In March 2024, reports emerged that the Incognito Market administrators pulled an exit scam and extorted the site’s users demanding between $100 and $20,000 for not publishing all of their cryptocurrency transactions and chat records.

If convicted, Lin faces a mandatory minimum of life in prison for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise and a maximum of life in prison for narcotics conspiracy. Additionally, he could receive up to 20 years for money laundering and five years for conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication.