Each member of the group must create a short biographic sketch identifying their position in the organization. Why are you personally involved (again, think about the push/pull factors), what is your motivation (idealistic, political, financial, a combination)? – MY PART IS TO THE OPERATIONS
BELOW IS THE REST OF THE PROJECT…
Proposed activity: [Title] is a quasi-black market intelligence agency that seeks to formalize the acquisition and syndication of essential information between our clients and the data they need to carry out their own operations. Our organization deals primarily in black market information and intelligence obtained through cyberattacks against US-based companies and organizations. We then sell the stolen information or intelligence to other criminal syndicates and foreign governments. Through our cell-based network of highly trained professionals across five major cells, [title] works under the cover of the dark web and through our developed human networks to design and implement sophisticated cyberattacks. The main materials we need for success are skills and computer and IT infrastructure, but thanks to our recruitment and PR cell, there is a steady demand and campaign for recruitment of trained individuals in the sphere of hacking and cybercrime. [title] is a generally decentralized organization that communicates primarily through layered and encrypted dark web channels to avoid detection. These communication safeguards, along with the exploitation of lax laws in our host country of Venezuela and the expertise of our legal “cell,” it would be very difficult for law enforcement to tie every member of the organization together for prosecution.
Reason for the country: Venezuela is a ripe location for crime to erupt. Not only are the social and economic conditions in the country ideal for criminal operations, but the country is also in a great location for the transportation of illegal goods or services. In our case, the location makes it easy for our leaders to travel back and forth to our target location. Furthermore, both the seaports and airports are abysmally controlled by law enforcement, which makes it easy for our organization to collude with others for travel arrangements. On the social and economic side, Venezuela is currently dealing with an economic recession, high corruption among authorities, high availability of weapons, and an overall lack of peace among citizens. Said conditions make information, such as personally identifiable information, very valuable in the country and create a marketplace for a criminal organization to fill in.
Destination country: The United States presents many opportunities for illegal marketplaces because there is such a huge demand for illicit goods and services. Many multi-billion dollar companies based in the country receive and supply a wealth of information on their clients or consumers, which is just the information we look for. Mainly, we want to target healthcare providers, such as UPMC, because of their abundance of personal information access, such as credit card information and social security numbers. We also find that healthcare providers have become more vulnerable to cyber attacks because of their fragility due to the pandemic. Our success in retaining this information solely depends on our ability to hack and launder it, which is becoming increasingly difficult with greater cybersecurity measures being implemented. However, the vulnerability of databases among these large companies is not waning, and the demand for this information on the black market is always present. Additionally, the United States is full of people who lack general online safety awareness, which makes it easy for our organization to steal their information directly. The only limit on the supply of information is the
ability for our organization to recruit skilled individuals and successfully design and implement hacking and cybersecurity operations, which has proven to be increasingly more challenging (but not wholly unprofitable) in recent years.
Like the Chinese Triads, our organized crime group is not highly organized and is made of independent groups or cells that have similar structures. Members within the group hold different roles and are advanced in different aspects of criminal activity. In this organized crime group, there is no hierarchical structure, meaning nobody is vertically “above” one another. We chose this structure because we did not want one main leader and instead wanted everyone to use their strengths to lead their own “cell.” The decentralized, loose structure of the Triads was most appealing and relatable to our organization’s activities and goals, and advantageous in the case of avoiding detection and prosecution by law enforcement in either Venezuela or the United States. Some “cell” members may have slightly different motivations and skills, but all are committed to the aims and advantages of associational membership with our organization.
Most people know me as Ayanna Freeman, but in the organization, I am known as “L.E.,” which is short for the “Law Evader.” I was once the top defense attorney in the United States, with numerous high-profile cases. The law firm I was associated with, Confident Lawyers Team, was lucky to have me because I was the sole lawyer bringing in the money to keep the firm running. However, my boss never recognized my hard work and dedication, often trying to lower my caseloads and even trying to dock my pay on several occasions. The last straw occurred when my boss took away my “employee of the month” designation, citing that I did not seem as dedicated as other lawyers in the firm. This subsequently meant that my plaque on the wall was taken down, and I no longer had the “employee of the month” front parking space. As one could imagine, I swiftly left the firm after this incident and was seriously considering starting my own firm when I was contacted by The Accountant, who offered me the deal of a lifetime. By accepting the offer, I would never be doubted again, I would be my own boss (in a way), and I would have more money, power, and influence than any other defense attorney in the world. Not to mention, I would not even need my own parking space because I would be able to have my own chauffeur. By acting as the Chief Legal Officer of … I would be in charge of getting any member who gets caught off the hook or significantly lighter sentences, which is what I am the best at. Additionally, I would be in charge of keeping up with the laws and regulations dealing with our organization, both in the United States and in Venezuela. Venezuela has very few laws combating cybercrime, which is why I think the organization made a smart move in the location of its base, and that was another reason why I accepted the offer.
PR Leader:
My name is Hannah Faulkner, but to our clients and the members of our organization I am simply known as H. I entered college with the plan of studying public relations and
communications to eventually work in corporate or nonprofit communications. I was a good student and was incredibly well-connected in my local community throughout my university career. I never held a leadership role but I did always know all the secrets, privileged information, and it was always easy to talk my way out of any (alleged) trouble I got into. As I entered into the corporate and nonprofit worlds I continued to refine these soft skills but quickly grew disillusioned with the hollow nature of large-scale PR culture even as I quickly rose through the ranks. My network grew but my passion for the work I did so well waned. Until at a networking party I was approached by the hotshot L.E. who spoke of an opportunity to practice my craft without a muzzle, travel the world, and stoke a little anarchy on the side. Now I am the chief PR officer for (name) and every day is a well-compensated adventure. My primary tasks include identifying and interacting with clients, brokering deals between our organization and other criminal groups or national governments, and overseeing public relations campaigns to help get the word out about (name). My secret weapon is my charm and my ability to be a ghost among groups of heavy-hitters. I am primarily based at our US office to oversee recruitment and grease the wheels of any issues the organization might face with US law enforcement, but I spend a lot of time in South America, Eastern Europe, and the UAE to interact with clients, recruit independent contractors or new members, and oversee transactions and information exchanges.
Accountant:
My name is Danelle Deasy, and I am known as the accountant for ___. Through my
anti-social antics, I had founded the group through a Dark Web forum, which was related to the passion of anarchy. I live a luxurious lifestyle with my family in the Bahamas, who have no clue of this side job.We live as an average family, meaning nobody would ever suspect me to be a part of an anarchist group who steals personal information. On the surface, I am an accountant at a local bank as only a front because I make 7 times more money through my crime organization. Outside of the group, I am Danelle, but within my Dark Web, I am only known as “The Accountant.”
I help the group with financial situations and assist in turning our “dirty” money into “clean” money through money laundering. Using the Dark Web to sell information can be difficult to transfer money, but we often use cryptocurrency to complete transactions with foreign governments and other individuals interested in buying credit card information. With my double degree in Computer Science and Accounting from Harvard, I have mastered the art of learning how to money launder cryptocurrency. This location is not only perfect for the beaches and weather, but also the relaxed laws on cryptocurrency and banking in general. It is also the perfect place to hide money because, like Swiss banks, Bahamian banks are known for their secrecy, making it easy to hide suspicious money.
Tech:
My name is Brandon Graham, but lately I’ve been trying out some cool new nicknames and I think I’ve decided on “Masterkey”. I’ve always been good with computers, which is definitely the reason I graduated from MIT so fast. College is pretty easy when you can get any grade you want on a test…anywho, with a degree from the best programming school in the US, I took that degree and did what all successful people do; I followed the money. That landed me in Tokyo, where I was promptly hired on to be not only the tech consultant for 5 different companies, but let me build a reputation as the best in the business. With this reputation, I was able to start my own consulting company. I was my own boss, and it was cool and all, but I wanted more. That’s when I came back to the US and ended up in Silicon Valley. This is where the real money came in. All the hipsters that wanted to start apps or websites used mommy and daddy’s money to pay whatever I asked for in exchange for “help”. I helped them alright. On every app I developed, I built in my own “back door”. This allowed me to charge people for the most high-end security money could buy that looks super legit to everyone looking at it and runs smooth as butter. The only issue for them was I had the master key. Now this is when I started making money. I was the literal definition of passive income. Then it got a little sticky. To make a long story short, a very popular fruit-named company asked me to look into their network and security because they had had some leaks. I obviously obliged and obviously changed the locks on the back door. I now have access to everything that has to do with…fruit. I didn’t know there was an issue at all, until just a few months ago. Apparently some of my older projects from the past had gone under and people were starting to see some commonalities, mostly me. Then, fortune just happens to bump into me on the streets of the Valley. “The Frontman” (his choice not mine) introduces himself to me as “a big fan of my work”, and invites me to coffee. He tells me that he’s been following my investments since I left Tokyo and he knows I’m about to be in some trouble. He tells me that he has a very good friend that has her own law firm, and is one of the best attorneys in the world. He says that I can actually make money if I have her on my side just in case. Then he offers the real deal. He wants me to do the same thing I’ve been doing for years, but let him have access to the key to the backdoor. Then he leaves me his phone number and a napkin with my per job payment. I met him at the door before he even left the shop. I am now the newest member of ____. And the best part…I make more money than I know what to do with and I can do it all from the comfort of my slippers in my living room.
