In a significant move to combat the global illegal drug trade, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned Behrouz Parsarad, the Iran-based administrator of the now-defunct darknet marketplace Nemesis. The sanctions, announced today, mark OFAC’s first action as a member of the FBI-led Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) Team and underscore the U.S. government’s commitment to dismantling online platforms that facilitate the sale of illegal drugs and other illicit activities.
Nemesis: A Hub for Narcotics and Cybercrime
Nemesis, a darknet marketplace established in 2021, served as a haven for narcotics traffickers and cybercriminals, enabling the sale of illegal drugs, false identification documents, and hacking services. The platform, which was accessible only through specialized anonymity-enhancing browsers, boasted over 30,000 active users and 1,000 vendors. Between 2021 and 2024, Nemesis facilitated nearly $30 million in drug sales worldwide, including the trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids into the United States.
Behrouz Parsarad, the sole administrator of Nemesis, operated the platform from Iran and held full control over its operations, including virtual currency wallets. Parsarad enriched himself by charging transaction fees to users, pocketing millions of dollars over the marketplace’s existence. In addition to providing a platform for illegal activities, Parsarad laundered virtual currencies for narcotics traffickers and cybercriminals.
On March 20, 2024, U.S., German, and Lithuanian law enforcement agencies seized Nemesis’ servers in a coordinated operation, effectively shutting down the marketplace. However, Parsarad has since attempted to re-establish a new darknet marketplace to replace Nemesis, according to OFAC.
Today’s sanctions designation, made under Executive Order 14059, targets individuals and entities involved in the proliferation of narcotics and their means of production. OFAC also identified 49 virtual currency addresses used by Parsarad, further disrupting his ability to conduct illicit financial activities.
A Strong Message to Darknet Operators
“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 like fentanyl and other synthetic opioids,” said Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. “Treasury, in partnership with U.S. law enforcement, will use all available tools to dismantle these darknet marketplaces and hold accountable the individuals who oversee them.”
The action against Parsarad is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to combat the risks posed by darknet marketplaces. Previous OFAC designations include Genesis Market in April 2023 and Hydra Market in April 2022. According to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), criminal organizations increasingly use darknet platforms to sell precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment for synthetic opioids, as well as to traffic narcotics into the United States.
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of Parsarad within the United States or under U.S. control are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving the sanctioned individual, and non-U.S. persons risk secondary sanctions for facilitating such transactions.
Financial institutions and other entities that engage in prohibited activities with Parsarad may face enforcement actions or penalties. OFAC’s regulations also prohibit contributions of funds, goods, or services to or from designated persons.
