As we set foot on this enigmatic journey, let's delve into what the Dark Web really is. A realm of the internet, often associated with illegality and crime, is in fact just a portion of the web that tempts anonymity. To fully understand the full extent of the Dark Web, it's crucial to distinguish it from the Deep Web - a segment of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines, where personal emails, subscription-based content, and corporate intranets reside.

The Dark Web, on the other hand, relies on overlay networks and requires specific software such as Tor to access. While a myriad of legitimate activities take place like whistle-blowing, private communication, and circumvention of censorship - the Dark Web often magnetizes attention for nefarious reasons, particularly, for cyber crime. With the objective of shedding light on the dark side of the web, let's investigate some chilling "cyber crime examples" that illustrate the complexity and depth of these activities.

A Peek into Marketplaces of the Dark Web

A prominent illustration of "cyber crime examples" lies in the Darknet markets - an underground version of eBay or Amazon where illegal goods can be bought or sold. A notable example is the Silk Road, a now-defunct marketplace remembered as an infamous "cyber crime example". With anonymity guaranteed, transactions often involved illegal substances, weapons, and counterfeit money.

Cyber Espionage and International Relations

Another consequential "cyber crime example" pertains to state-sponsored cyber espionage. International politics are getting embroiled in the darkness of the web where activities of hacking, into other countries’ networks, and interference in election campaigns take center stage. One high-profile instance was the 2015 hack of the US Office of Personnel Management, thought to be perpetrated by state-sponsored hackers.

Data Breaches

Data breaches feature prominently on the list of "cyber crime examples". Hackers infiltrate systems to steal personal or proprietary information, the after-effect of which can be dire. A prime example is the 2014 Yahoo hack affecting about 3 billion user accounts. The stolen data, typically sold on the Dark Web, included names, email addresses, and hashed passwords.

Ransomware

Ransomware offers another disconcerting "cyber crime example". Essentially, ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts victims’ data and demands payment for its decryption. The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, affecting hundreds of thousands of computers across 150 countries.

Cryptocurrency Theft

An ever-growing "cyber crime example" involves cryptocurrency theft. With Bitcoin often being the de-facto currency of the Dark Web, it's no wonder that Bitcoin wallets become targets. Notable is the 2018 Coincheck hack, in which more than $500 million worth of cryptocurrencies were stolen from the Japan-based exchange.

In conclusion, the Dark Web, while shrouded in mystery and often associated with illegality, serves as a real-world illustration of the dark underbelly of the internet. "Cyber crime examples" such as the Silk Road, state-sponsored hacking, data breaches, ransomware, and cryptocurrency theft spotlight the multitude of risks that are involuntarily shouldered by individuals and organizations alike. Navigating the Dark Web necessitates being equipped with the knowledge and understanding of its potential hazards. As our dependence on the internet grows, it becomes increasingly critical to understand the who, what, where, why, and how of the Dark Web and cyber crime, thereby enabling mitigative and preventative measures securing our digital lives.