All articles tagged with #black market
FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended ticket prices at a pre-World Cup news conference, saying revenue is reinvested in football and warning that lowering prices could fuel black-market sales; he also addressed the USA as co-host, security/visa issues, and Iran’s participation, stressing ongoing efforts to resolve challenges.
Russia’s occupation of Donbas is expanding into a militarized economy built on corruption and illicit markets: a reported scheme where a widow profits from a soldier’s death, a thriving black market for drugs and stolen arms flourishes among troops, and Moscow-backed “sponsor” regions fund reconstruction while resources dwindle and water systems fail. Analysts say the aim is to convert Donbas into a vast military base to frighten Europe, with officials tightening control and corruption widening as the region’s economy is militarised.
Iraq has legalized child marriage under the Ja'fari law, leading to a surge in bridal markets and black market sales of young girls, with human rights organizations warning of exploitation and abuse, including underage girls being sold and married without consent.
Some individuals are using unapproved 'GLP-3' drugs like retatrutide from the black market for dramatic weight loss, risking unknown side effects and contamination, as these drugs are still in clinical trials and not FDA-approved, highlighting concerns over safety and regulation.
A shadow market for illicit sale of verified AI training accounts has emerged on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram, driven by the high demand for data labeling work in AI development. Despite company bans and safeguards, scammers and opportunists are selling fake or real accounts, risking scams and data leaks for buyers and sellers. Companies like Scale AI and Surge AI are actively fighting fraud, but the underground industry continues to evolve, highlighting the challenges in securing AI training data.
Thieves stole priceless jewelry from the Louvre, including a tiara and sapphire necklace, valued at around $102 million, but experts believe selling the pieces intact or unaltered will be difficult due to their unique properties and the high likelihood of detection, making the black market sale highly risky and unprofitable.
Retatrutide, an experimental weight-loss drug developed by Eli Lilly, is gaining popularity among fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders through unofficial online channels before its official FDA approval, raising concerns about safety, regulation, and the unregulated market for research chemicals.
Gaza faces a severe food and cash crisis, with shortages of money due to destroyed banks and restrictions on cash inflows, leading to high prices, black market currency exchange, and people selling belongings or paying high commissions to access funds.
Thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of Labubu dolls from a Los Angeles store, targeting the popular plush toys amid rising demand and celebrity endorsements, with the incident under investigation by local authorities.
An estimated $1 billion worth of Nvidia's high-end AI processors have reportedly been smuggled into China, bypassing US export restrictions, highlighting challenges in controlling the global flow of advanced semiconductor technology. The chips, including the B200 series, are sold through China's black market and used by major US cloud providers, despite official bans. Nvidia has not confirmed the sales but denies involvement in illicit activities. The situation underscores ongoing tensions in US-China tech relations and the complexities of global semiconductor supply chains.
'Doc' Antle, known from 'Tiger King,' was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and fined $55,000 for federal animal trafficking and money laundering related to illegal trade of endangered exotic animals, with his legal issues stemming from black market dealings and illegal sales over a decade.
Hamas-linked security forces in Gaza have intensified a crackdown on aid theft and black market profiteering by shooting suspected profiteers in the legs. This violent response comes amid a severe shortage of aid and skyrocketing prices in the enclave, exacerbated by Israeli military actions that have dismantled local law enforcement. Despite efforts to impose price caps and regulate goods, the crisis persists, with many goods sold at inflated prices. The reactivation of a special operations unit, "Sehem," aims to curb the rampant theft and profiteering.
Zimbabwe's government is promoting its new gold-backed currency, the ZiG, through public campaigns and forceful measures, including arrests of street currency dealers and freezing business accounts. Despite these efforts, public mistrust and a preference for U.S. dollars persist, driven by economic instability and the black market.
Zimbabwe's government is promoting its new gold-backed currency, the ZiG, through public rallies, media campaigns, and forceful measures like arresting street currency dealers and freezing business accounts. Despite these efforts, public mistrust and a preference for U.S. dollars persist, driving a robust black market. The ZiG faces significant challenges in gaining acceptance, with many businesses and individuals still relying on the U.S. dollar for transactions.
Denise Lodge, the wife of a former Harvard Medical School morgue manager, pleaded guilty to shipping stolen human body parts from the school's morgue to buyers nationwide as part of a sprawling scheme involving several others. The scheme included selling body parts on Facebook, creating macabre dolls, and revealed a thriving demand for human remains in the US. The morgue manager saw a business opportunity within the black market and sold body parts without families' knowledge, leading to federal charges and his subsequent firing.