From all the online busts I've seen since Shadowcrew busts and countless other illegal forums and markets after it the #1 downfall was letting federal agents be

From all the online busts I've seen since Shadowcrew busts and countless other illegal forums and markets after it the #1 downfall was letting federal agents become co-administrators and worm their way into the fold. From there they can engage suspects in supposedly confidential/trusted chatter and find out everything there is to know about them. Criminals love to brag and talk their way into jail. This is easy to do. As a federal agent, sabotage the market with spam, ddos or security breaches, then be johnny on the spot with the solution offering your helpful services. Gain trust, engage in talk, bust everybody.