Buying Insider Stock Tips on the Dark Web

Summary

This video delves into the shadowy world of the dark web, exploring the possibility of insider trading tips being sold alongside other illicit goods. It discusses the arrest of Apostolis Travias for selling such tips and speculates on the potential for criminal insider information to be leaked and traded. The host searches the dark web for stock trading-related content, uncovering an ecosystem of groups and services, and ponders the risks and rewards of engaging in such activities.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The script discusses the accessibility of the dark web, which is believed to contain 90% of the internet that is not accessible through regular browsers like Google Chrome or Safari.
• 💡 The idea of purchasing stock picks on the dark web is introduced, suggesting that there might be insider information being sold illegally.
• 📈 The video mentions the potential for making millions through trading based on leaked insider information about publicly traded companies.
• 🔍 The presenter explores the dark web to find any evidence of insider trading tips being sold, referencing a real case where the SEC charged someone for selling such tips.
• 🚨 The SEC press release from July 20, 2021, is highlighted, which charged a man named Apostolis Travis for selling insider trading tips on the dark web.
• 💼 Travis allegedly sold order book data and pre-released earnings reports, which are forms of insider information, through subscriptions on the dark web.
• 💸 The video describes how Travis was selling this information at relatively low prices, raising questions about why someone with access to such valuable data would sell it so cheaply.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Undercover IRS and FBI agents investigated Travis's services by subscribing to his tips, which led to his arrest and prosecution.
• 🔎 The presenter's exploration of the dark web using a VPN and the Tor browser did not yield any concrete findings related to stock trading or insider information.
• 🚫 The video concludes with a disclaimer that the exploration was for research purposes only and does not encourage any illegal activities.

Q & A

What is the dark web and how is it different from the surface web?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden from search engines and can only be accessed through special browsers like Tor. It is where websites are masked and secured for privacy. In contrast, the surface web is the part of the internet that is indexed by search engines and can be accessed through regular browsers like Google Chrome or Safari.

What kind of illegal activities are mentioned as being available on the dark web?

The script mentions illegal activities such as the sale of illegal substances, different identities, credit card numbers, and various types of fraud or crime.

What is the connection between the dark web and stock trading as discussed in the script?

The script discusses the possibility of insider trading tips being sold on the dark web, which could potentially be used to make significant profits in the stock market.

What is the significance of the SEC press release mentioned in the script?

The SEC press release highlights a real case where a man named Apostolis Travis was arrested for selling fraudulent insider trading tips on the dark web. This press release serves as evidence that such activities do occur and are being monitored by regulatory authorities.

What was the nature of the services offered by Apostolis Travis according to the SEC complaint?

Apostolis Travis allegedly sold order book data from a securities firm and pre-released leaked earning reports of publicly traded companies through one-off sales, weekly, and monthly subscriptions.

How did the authorities catch Apostolis Travis, as mentioned in the script?

Undercover IRS and FBI agents signed up for Travis's service to investigate. They subscribed to his insider trading tips and received emails with stock ticker symbols and trade recommendations.

What was the outcome of the investigation into Apostolis Travis's insider trading tips?

The investigation led to the arrest of Travis, and he is currently being prosecuted for his fraudulent scheme.

What did the script's author find when they attempted to access the dark web for stock trading information?

The author found various marketplaces offering illegal goods and services but did not find any solid evidence of insider trading tips related to stocks or trading.

What is the 'Stock Insiders' community mentioned in the script, and what does it offer?

The 'Stock Insiders' community is described as the only insider trading community on the dark web. It offers a platform for exchanging insider information and even pays individuals for submitting insider information that can cause significant shifts in stock prices.

What was the author's conclusion about the existence of insider trading information on the dark web?

The author concluded that while they did not personally access any insider trading information, the existence of platforms like 'Stock Insiders' suggests that such activities may be occurring on the dark web.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Exploring the Dark Web for Insider Trading Tips

The video script begins with a discussion on the accessibility of illegal goods and services on the dark web, which is a hidden part of the internet not accessible through regular browsers. The narrator ponders the possibility of insider trading information being sold on the dark web, given the availability of tools for white-collar crimes. The script then delves into the concept of the surface web, deep web, and the dark web, explaining how the latter is intentionally hidden and requires special browsers like Tor for access. The narrator shares an SEC press release about a man named Apostolis Travis, who was arrested for selling insider trading tips on the dark web. The tips were allegedly based on order book data and pre-released earnings reports, which Travis sold through various subscription plans. The video also describes an undercover operation where FBI and IRS agents subscribed to Travis's service to gather evidence. The segment concludes with the revelation of Travis's scheme and the potential profitability of trading based on the leaked information.

05:00

🕵️‍♂️ Investigating the Dark Web's Financial Underbelly

In the second paragraph, the narrator expresses curiosity about the existence of an entire ecosystem of groups and services offering insider trading information on the dark web. They question why someone with legitimate insider information would sell it for a low price instead of using it to amass wealth. The script then details the narrator's process of accessing the dark web using a VPN and the Tor browser. They explore various marketplaces and websites, including Alphabay, which offers illegal drugs and other illicit items. The narrator searches for stock-related information and eventually finds a website called 'Stock Insiders,' which claims to be the only insider trading community on the dark web. They discover that the site offers to pay individuals for insider information based on the potential market impact, with significant payouts for major announcements. The narrator also finds websites tracking stock trades by politicians and executives, which, while not illegal, raises questions about the ethics and legality of such activities. The video ends with a humorous caution against sharing insider information, emphasizing the video's educational and investigative intent.

Keywords

💡Dark Web

The Dark Web refers to parts of the internet that are not indexed by traditional search engines and can only be accessed with specific software, configurations, or authorization. It is often associated with illegal activities, as it provides anonymity to users. In the video, the Dark Web is explored as a potential source for insider trading tips, which are illegal if used for personal gain in the stock market. The script mentions accessing the Dark Web using a VPN and the Tor browser to mask one's identity.

💡Insider Trading

Insider trading involves the buying or selling of a company's stock by individuals with access to non-public information about the company. It is illegal and unethical as it gives an unfair advantage in the market. The video discusses the concept of insider trading in the context of the Dark Web, where one individual, Apostolis Travis, was allegedly selling insider trading tips. The video also mentions an SEC press release about charges against 'The Bull' for selling such tips.

💡Stock Picks

Stock picks are recommendations or predictions about which stocks are expected to perform well in the market. In the video, the concept is initially discussed in the context of social media influencers who claim to offer stock picks that can lead to quick wealth. The video then extends this idea to the Dark Web, where it is suggested that more reliable, albeit illegal, insider information might be available.

💡Deep Web

The Deep Web encompasses parts of the internet that are not accessible through surface web search engines. It includes databases, private networks, and other hidden services. In the video, the Deep Web is differentiated from the Dark Web, with the former being a larger section of the internet that includes non-public information, while the latter is intentionally hidden and often associated with illegal activities.

💡VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN is a service that allows users to create a secure and encrypted connection over the internet. It masks the user's IP address, providing privacy and security. In the video, the narrator downloads a VPN service as a step to access the Dark Web, suggesting it adds an extra layer of security and anonymity.

💡Tor Browser

The Tor Browser is a free and open-source software that enables anonymous communication by directing internet traffic through a worldwide volunteer overlay network. It is used to access the Dark Web. The video script describes downloading and using the Tor Browser to explore the Dark Web in search of insider trading information.

💡SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)

The SEC is a U.S. government agency responsible for regulating the securities industry and ensuring fair and efficient markets. It also protects investors against fraudulent and manipulative practices. The video references an SEC press release about charges against someone for selling insider trading tips on the Dark Web, illustrating the SEC's role in policing such activities.

💡Order Book Data

Order book data refers to the record of buy and sell orders for a specific security in a given market. It can include price, quantity, and other details about the orders. In the video, Apostolis Travis is said to have sold order book data from a securities firm, which is a form of insider information that can be used for illegal trading.

💡Market Manipulation

Market manipulation involves the artificial inflation or deflation of the price of a security or otherwise influencing the behavior of the market for personal gain. Insider trading is a form of market manipulation. The video touches on this concept by discussing the potential for using insider information from the Dark Web to manipulate stock prices.

💡AlphaBay Market

AlphaBay was a dark web marketplace that allowed users to buy and sell illegal items, including drugs and stolen data. It is mentioned in the video as a place the narrator visited during their exploration of the Dark Web, highlighting the range of illegal activities that can be found there.

💡Hedge Fund

A hedge fund is an investment vehicle that pools capital from accredited investors and uses various strategies to achieve a high return on investment. In the video, the mention of hedge fund order book tips suggests the potential for insider information about the buying and selling activities of such funds, which could be used for illegal trading.

Highlights

The dark web offers a wide range of illegal activities, including the sale of illegal substances and identities.

Only 5% of the internet is accessible through regular browsers like Google Chrome or Safari.

The deep web, which is not indexed by regular search engines, contains private data and records.

The dark web is intentionally hidden from search engines and requires special browsers to access.

There is a potential market for insider trading tips on the dark web, which could be a source of illegal information.

The SEC press release on July 20, 2021, charged an individual with selling insider trading tips on the dark web.

Apostolis Travis was arrested for selling what he claimed were insider trading tips on the dark web.

Travis allegedly sold order book data and pre-released earning reports of publicly traded companies.

Undercover IRS and FBI agents subscribed to Travis's service to investigate the legitimacy of his claims.

Travis's service provided daily stock tips, including specific earnings reports before they were public.

Illumina's earnings report was accurately predicted by Travis's service, leading to a significant stock price increase.

Authorities arrested Travis, and he is currently being prosecuted for his actions.

The existence of an ecosystem for insider trading tips suggests a larger, underground market.

The narrator downloaded a VPN and the Tor browser to access the dark web for research purposes.

The dark web contains marketplaces for illegal goods and services, including drugs and stolen identities.

The narrator discovered a website called 'Stock Insiders' which claims to be the only insider trading community on the dark web.

The 'Stock Insiders' website offers payments for insider information based on the potential market impact.

There are websites that track stock market trades from politicians and executives, which is legal but raises ethical questions.

The narrator's exploration of the dark web for insider trading tips was for entertainment and research purposes only.

Transcripts

i mean you can buy pretty much anything

on the dark web right from illegal

substances to different identities

credit card numbers pretty much any kind

of fraud or crime that you can think of

so i was thinking you know how people

sell their stock picks on the regular

internet you pay lambo man on instagram

and he's gonna tell you which sneaky

stock he's investing into that's gonna

get you rich quick most of the time it's

some fugazi type of info just your

everyday local fake flexors you guys

already know the vibe but apparently we

can only access like five percent of the

whole internet through a regular browser

like google chrome or safari the deep

dark web is the other 90

and maybe you can start to see where i'm

going with this i got the crazy thought

of there's a lot of tools being sold for

all kinds of white-collar crime on the

dark web what if one of those tools is

stock picks but given that it's a dark

web what if there's straight criminal

insider information being leaked on

there of publicly traded companies which

if people trade based on that that's a

surefire way to make millions right so

this video we're gonna access and

explore the underground shady world of

insider trading tips on the dark web

[Music]

so there's the surface web which again

is like 5 10 of the internet and you can

access that through a google search then

you have the deep web which is a portion

of the internet that is hidden from

regular users that kind of contains

records private data just stuff you

wouldn't want indexed on the regular

surface web then you have the dark web

which is where websites are

intentionally hidden from search engines

and you can only access them through

special browsers that mask your identity

and that's where all the sneaky spooky

stories and all the legal stuff happens

so i actually searched stock trading and

the dark web on a regular google search

on the surface web to see what kind of

stuff would pop up if there's any

incidents of this if there's any

information or articles about it and

after some digging i found an sec press

release which the ssc is the united

states securities and exchange

commission they regulate the stock

market and make sure that nothing sneaky

is happening let's say a top executive

at tesla has some crazy information that

they know about the company maybe the

person knows that the tesla earnings are

terrible before they release so they go

to their cousin and say yo tap in buy

puts short the tesla stock before the

earnings because it's going to go down

that's insider information and trading

like that is illegal they put you in

jail or if the executive themselves

trades based on this insider information

that's illegal right to jail point is

there's a press release from them that

went out on july 20 21st titled sec

charges the bull with selling insider

trading tips on the dark web which i was

just mind blown this is exactly what i

was curious about basically there's this

greek man named apostolis travis who was

arrested in peru for perpetrating a

fraudulent scheme to sell what he called

insider trading tips on the dark web

travis claimed that the information he

was selling consisted of order book data

from a securities firm that was provided

to trevias by an employee of the firm

travis allegedly sold those tips through

one-off sales as well as weekly and

monthly subscriptions the bed was

selling a monthly subscription for

insider stock tips i present to you the

netflix for insider trading all your

favorite fraudulent stock market tips

all in one place and do you think

insider info that's kind of a big deal

and you can use that to make millions

off the stock market pretty easily

surely that that kind of information

would be pretty expensive well let me

tell you i found a copy of the actual

sec complaint and there's even some

screenshots here of his listing buying

my service will i'm assuming he-man said

give buying my service will give you an

edge by knowing what the big boys are

buying or selling 29.95 for one sneaky

tip the weekly plan for 99.95 you can

get monthly insider stock tips delivered

to you for 2.99 so he was apparently

selling order book info from some fund

which is like what the fund is buying

and selling as well as pre-released

leaked earning reports of publicly

traded companies the complaint says that

eventually undercover irs and fbi agents

signed up for a service to investigate

so they subscribe to his insider trading

tips netflix one of said agents signed

up for the daily tips i guess they were

a little stingy and started receiving

these emails which had the ticker symbol

of the stock and whether the trade

should be a purchase position or a short

position now it doesn't really say how

profitable or accurate those daily tip

emails were or if the information was

completely legit but it looks like

travis eventually started upselling on

his services charging people money for

specific earning reports before they

released and even looking to trade other

people's money on august 1st 2017 at

approximately 4 43 a.m pacific time he

sent one of the agents this email about

illumina's yet to be released earnings

saying that the total revenue was going

to be 662 million with a diluted

earnings per share of 82 cents and nine

hours later illumina announced its

quarterly earnings during a conference

call reporting a revenue of 662 million

and a deluded earnings per share of 82

cents and so a day later on august 2nd

2017 illumina's stock price closed at

197 percent per share which was a 14.8

increase from the previous day's closing

price so if you traded based off of that

information you would have made a ton of

money the proof was in the pudding with

some of his other stuff like the hedge

fund order book tips he was giving out i

don't know if you can really prove that

but with this you can't really fake

guessing the correct numbers of an

earnings report before it's released

that's clear insider info anyways

eventually authorities arrested 30 year

old travis and he's currently being

prosecuted but the crazy thing is he's

not an anomaly there's apparently a

whole ecosystem of these groups and

services out there and i want in i at

least want to check it out the only

thing i can't wrap my head around is if

this travis guy had real insider info

which the sec complaint says that he did

why would you sell it for like 30 bucks

a tip when you could easily compound an

investment portfolio of like a thousand

bucks into millions if you have insider

information that's legit so i don't know

but let's check this out by the way i

don't encourage any of this

entertainment investigation research

purposes only i'm just fascinated by all

of it and with this i looked up a

tutorial on how to access the dark web

which told me i needed to download a vpn

service so i did that it turned it on

for what apparently was an extra layer

of security then i downloaded something

called the tor browser which also masks

your ip and allows you to access the

dark web and with just those two steps i

was ready to go i don't know why i'm so

nervous about this i've never accessed

the dark web this feels mad illegal a

little spooky but let's go ahead and

start up this tour browser i began my

journey on the dark web by visiting the

hidden wiki that showed links to a lot

of popular websites on the dark web well

here i am on the alphabay market looking

at a lot of illegal drugs i don't know

if i could even show this on youtube wow

this is

crazy

but i'm here for a different reason so

let's go ahead and try to search for

stocks okay so there's this listing

which says how to make 131 grand in 21

days signals courses bots but i don't

know it doesn't say anything about

insider info just looks like a regular

signals group that you could probably

buy on the regular web so let's keep

digging i ended up going on a couple

other marketplaces which offered social

security numbers fake passports ids

stolen credit cards all at the click of

a button oh this is a different scheme

you can invest into it's not even a

scheme per se or rather an operation you

can invest into which is

illegal bitcoin mining using stolen

electricity and they're offering 50

returns per month for 18 months this got

to be some sort of fbi website there's

no way this is real hear me out a crypto

pump campaign i guess you deposit money

into this website and they're gonna use

your money to

run crypto pump and dumps yeah me fair

enough so none of the marketplaces i

found really offered anything solid

related to stocks or trading or

investing so i dug deeper started going

through search engines on the dark web

and eventually stumbled upon this okay

i think we might have actually found

something the stock insiders the only

insider trading community on the dark

web wow okay

give it to me baby where where is the

price of apple gonna go where do i look

whoa this is nuts i just clicked on a

section that says how to get paid for my

insider info and it says that if you

have a major announcement that's going

to cause at least a 15 shift in the

stock price they'll pay you up to 25 000

for your tip this is crazy so if you

submit insider info about a listed stock

on one of these exchanges at least one

day before that info goes public for a

minor announcement that's gonna ship the

price at least four percent they'll pay

up to five grand if it shifts the price

at least seven percent ten grand and

again if it's a major announcement

they'll pay up to 25 000

okay i'm only clicking this for research

purposes only but i'm about to press the

how to get a full membership button i'm

putting it out there research purposes

only

man i guess we can get into this because

in order to join this group you

apparently have to provide some insider

information that needs to be true in

order to be accepted

man stop playing with me what so i guess

this is sort of like a sneaky club where

people exchange insider information or

again if you're just interested in

selling it they'll apparently buy it off

of you and they're always being salesy

about convincing people to sell them

information suppose you send us

quarterly results you can earn up to a

hundred thousand per year just for that

not bad for just a few hours of work huh

so i couldn't access this insider's

website but i also found websites that

track stock market trades from

politicians and executives at publicly

traded companies which is kind of crazy

but you can find that on the regular web

it's not illegal because they're

required by law to publish this info man

i'm so curious if this is like a trap

made by the cia to find out who's trying

to sell their insider information or if

this is really an underground insider

trading range either way it's crazy that

it exists if you have a friend uncle

brother sister family member friend

working at a publicly traded company and

they have insider information make sure

you drop that in the comment section

below wait i'm just kidding don't i'm

not soliciting insider information that

was a joke stop typing hope you guys

enjoyed this video and have an amazing

rest of your day peace

[Music]

you