The Gist: A doctor from Duluth has pleaded guilty to using the dark web to hire a hitman to kill his girlfriend — only to be thwarted by the FBI.
The Details: According to the justice department, in April 2022, the Doctor James Wan navigated a dark web marketplace to arrange for his girlfriend’s murder. He provided extensive details, from her Facebook account to her vehicle’s description. Multiple Bitcoin payments, amounting to around $24,200, were made to ensure the hit’s completion.
Preferring the act to be masked as an accident, Wan made his intentions clear. However, before any harm could befall the intended victim, FBI agents learned of the plot. They promptly notified the girlfriend, ensuring her safety.
When confronted by the GBI, Wan admitted to his actions and, following his conversation with the FBI, canceled the dark web order.
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What is The Dark Web?: The dark web is a “hidden” section of the internet that requires special software to access and is known for its anonymity. It hosts a variety of content, both legal and illegal, ranging from black markets to forums for confidential communication and activism.
By The Numbers:
- $8,000 – Initial Bitcoin payment.
- $8,000 – Second payment due to a transaction error.
- $8,000 – Third payment to confirm the hit.
- $1,200 – Extra payment after a drop in Bitcoin’s value.
What’s Next?: Awaiting sentencing at 2 p.m. on January 18, 2024, the Wan’s fate lies in the hands of U.S. District Court Judge Leigh Martin May.
For further details or inquiries, please reach out to the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. More information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
🗂️ Domestic Violence Stats: A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2003 and 2014, about 55% of all female homicides in the U.S. were related to intimate partner violence.
