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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Writing this book presented many challenges which I could never have met had it not been for the generous assistance I received from a number of friends and colleagues around the world.

In Britain, two people played a vital role. Leonida Krushelnycky has proved to be an indefatigable researcher, often uncovering vital material long after I had given up any hope of finding it. But for her efforts, the book would have been considerably poorer. Vesna Vucenovic ensured that the administration of this project was as painless as one could hope.

On my travels, I had the fortune to encounter two journalists whose patience and cheerfulness matched their professionalism and skill which were of the highest order. Kai Laufen helped me understand the complex- ities of German justice. But his contribution was still greater because of the contacts he helped me make and the hospitality he offered. Equally, I would have been completely lost in Istanbul, and Turkey, were it not for Şebnem Arsu. Tenacious, unfailingly polite and able to conjure up a solu- tion when all appeared lost, I owe her a considerable debt.

From the various police forces around the world who have discussed DarkMarket with me, I must highlight Agent Keith J. Mularski of the FBI, Inspector Bilal Şen of the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Depart- ment of the Turkish Police, and Detective Sergeant Chris Dawson of the Humberside police. All three have given up much of their valuable time to talk to me in the most illuminating fashion and were always happy to clarify anything I had not fully grasped. I would also like to thank the officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency in London and Chris- tian Aghroum, formerly of OCLCTIC in Paris.

From a rather different perspective, RioRita in Ukraine was a mine of information about CarderPlanet and beyond - my special thanks to him. I learned as much about the nuts and bolts of cyber crime from RedBri- gade, I owe him a great deal for his friendliness and good-natured response to my countless requests for information and analysis.