  Early analyses revealed that dark web marketplaces (DWMs) started offering
COVID-19 related products (e.g., masks and COVID-19 tests) as soon as the
COVID-19 pandemic started, when these goods were in shortage in the traditional
economy. Here, we broaden the scope and depth of previous investigations by
analysing 194 DWMs until July 2021, including the crucial period in which
vaccines became available, and by considering the wider impact of the pandemic
on DWMs. First, we focus on vaccines. We find 250 listings offering approved
vaccines, like Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca, as well as vendors offering
fabricated proofs of vaccination and COVID-19 passports. Second, we consider
COVID-19 related products. We reveal that, as the regular economy has become
able to satisfy the demand of these goods, DWMs have decreased their offer.
Third, we analyse the profile of vendors of COVID-19 related products and
vaccines. We find that most of them are specialized in a single type of
listings and are willing to ship worldwide. Finally, we consider a broader set
of listings mentioning COVID-19 as proxy for the general impact of the pandemic
on these DWMs . Among 10,330 such listings, we show that recreational drugs are
the most affected among traditional DWMs product, with COVID-19 mentions
steadily increasing since March 2020. We anticipate that our effort is of
interest to researchers, practitioners, and law enforcement agencies focused on
the study and safeguard of public health.
