The US Treasury's OFAC has imposed sanctions on Behrouz Parsarad and 49 crypto addresses for managing the Nemesis darknet marketplace.
Founder Accusations
Behrouz Parsarad, an Iranian national, has been sanctioned for running Nemesis, a darknet marketplace selling illegal drugs. He is accused of laundering millions through the platform's crypto wallets, collecting commissions. It is believed drugs like fentanyl were sold on Nemesis. "As the administrator of the Nemesis darknet marketplace, Parsarad sought to build—and continues to try to re-establish—a safe haven to facilitate the production, sale, and shipment of illegal narcotics," said Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith.
Nemesis’ Takedown
Launched in 2021, Nemesis was a hub for criminal activity until its seizure in 2024. On March 20, 2024, law enforcement efforts by the US, Germany, and Lithuania led to the seizure of the site’s servers and the confiscation of about $102,000 in crypto assets connected to it. The platform was used for drug dealing, obtaining fake identification, and hacking services. However, Parsarad is reportedly in discussions with former partners to create a new illegal site.
Combatting Darknet Markets
Despite successful takedowns, darknet markets continue to thrive. According to TRM Labs’ 2025 report, these platforms generated over $1.7 billion in revenue in 2024. Russian-language initiatives dominate this industry, accounting for over 97% of drug sales, mainly using Bitcoin and Tron’s TRX. This increased by more than 1% from 2023, indicating a growing influence in the illegal online economy.
Sanctions against Nemesis crypto addresses are part of global efforts to dismantle criminal networks on the darknet. However, reports indicate that trade volumes are rising, underscoring the ongoing need to combat these threats.
