An anonymous masked TikToker has lifted the lid on the dark web’s ‘Wild West’ after claiming to have found a bizarre yet disturbing array of items.
At first glance, Coke cans, iPhones, and KSI’s Prime drinks are very common things you can buy all over the internet.
But influencer Red Mask (@maskred) suggests that a foray into the dark side of the web may yield different results, as you’ve ended up with bottles brimming with hot dogs, taped appliances, and even creepy dolls.
“There’s a lot I can’t show on social media that I think would shock and surprise a lot of people,” he told MailOnline.
‘It’s like the Wild West where it seems that anything and everything is available. Some of it may be a scam, some of it may never arrive. That’s the risk you take. It’s not a safe place, nor anywhere I recommend you do your shopping.’
Taped iPhones and a “ghost doll” are among some of his bizarre internet purchases
The 30-year-old from east London started unpacking his dark web packs on TikTok in January, amassing an audience of more than 150,000 followers in three months.
While many of his purchases are things that are used, eaten or drunk in everyday life, RedMask claims he would never dream of doing so.
“There is a user who sells anything and everything and I thought it would be interesting to buy regular items that always seem to have something strange in them,” he said.
“Often things happen that seem normal, but there is always something wrong.”
The dark web is a part of the internet that is generally hidden from the public and not indexed by conventional search engines like Google.
Accessing this part of the internet requires using a specific browser like Tor or i2p that hides your location and browsing activity.
Searching the dark web is not illegal in itself, but it is home to marketplaces that sell both strange and illegitimate products, including weapons, counterfeit currency, and drugs.
RedMask continued, “I would suggest you find someone who has experience navigating the dark web before you try to dive right in.
In one TikTok, RedMask films himself unwrapping a tape-wrapped phone next to a blurry Polaroid photo
“You can expose yourself to having your information hacked and stolen with one wrong move. You may also stumble upon some pretty gnarly stuff that you probably don’t want to see.
“There’s all the stuff you expect, like gore and NSFW content, but I think the most disturbing things I’ve come across are the huge databases of hacked passwords and bank details.
“I discovered that my own data had been hacked along with millions of other people. This was for sale for a small price. You wouldn’t believe some of the email passwords that were available.’
iPhones full of odd photos and phone numbers are among some of the more disturbing purchases Red Mask claims to have made.
In one TikTok, RedMask films himself unwrapping a tape-wrapped phone next to a blurry Polaroid photo.
World War I tins that appear to contain Nazi medals, a Prime bottle with an address written on it, and a “ghost doll” are among the many other purchases he claims to have made.
“I almost immediately threw the doll away because I feel like it must have a tracker or a little camera or something,” RedMask said.
“I have my packages delivered to a few different secure delivery points and when I picked up this doll I felt like someone was watching me the whole time. So I took a different route home to make sure no one followed me.’
Objects filled with beans are a common theme of RedMask’s purchases, including a Starbucks drink, a Coke can, and a coconut.
This has led to some skepticism among followers about how genuine his videos are, with some accusing the packs of being “homemade to get likes.”
Objects filled with beans are a common theme of RedMask’s purchases, including a Starbucks drink, a Coke can, and a coconut. This has led to some skepticism among followers about the legitimacy of his videos, with some accusing the packages of being “homemade to get likes”
When approached about the truthfulness of his videos, RedMask said, “People should always be wary of the content their algorithms throw at them…ask anything”
ESET’s Global Security Advisor Jake Moore also added that there is “no evidence that these videos even represent genuine dark web purchases.”
He said: ‘The problem with buying anything on the internet is that the buyer has no knowledge of what they are actually buying, let alone confidence or insurance in the sale, which can leave people vulnerable.
However, the seller knows the buyer’s postal address, which makes such purchases one-sided and potentially a little more dangerous.
‘The dark web can be used to remain anonymous online, which can be useful if users are aware of their privacy. But once payment is included, there is no guarantee that the item or service will even arrive due to the seller’s anonymity and no official platform to complain to.
“There is also no evidence that these videos represent real dark web purchases, so people should be very wary of the videos their algorithms are feeding them.”
When approached about the truthfulness of his videos, RedMask said, “People should always be wary of the content their algorithms throw at them…question anything.”