Usernames on a Finnish Online Marketplace for Illegal Drugs

Usernames play a major role in online communication by providing vital first impression and including clues about the identities personal characteristics of users. are extremely important trade illegal drugs, which carries several risks therefore requires high degree trust between transaction parties. This study examines how sellers buyers drugs represent themselves their usernames. Data on 1,654 usernames collected from Finnish darknet marketplace, Torilauta (2017–2020) analyzed both qualitatively quantitatively. The mostly often feature slang spoken language expressions. Many names include user’s age, gender, location. References to various were found express close relationship with substances. In contrast, they only rarely utilize typical real-life marketing strategies, suggests that users do not seek publicity wish enhance reputation. Differences drug sellers’ buyers’ minimal, possibly because group overlap. Overall, it appears aim blend user community rather than stand out building distinctive images themselves.