What government agency should I contact to report illegal activity on the dark web in the United States in 2025?
Executive summary
Reporting illegal activity on the dark web in the United States in 2025 should start with federal law enforcement because major takedowns and investigations are driven at that level: the Federal Bureau of Investigation is widely described as the primary agency policing the dark web [1], while other federal bodies such as Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Secret Service, ICE, DEA and Treasury components also play leading roles in particular subject areas [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. The most practical path is to notify the FBI and—when the alleged crime fits their mission set—contact ICE’s tip line or the specific agency most commonly tasked with that offense, while recognizing that coordination and gaps in bureau-wide strategy affect how cases are prioritized and handled [6] [7].
1. Who to contact first: the FBI as the default federal entry point
The FBI is repeatedly identified in reporting and official reviews as the central federal law enforcement body tackling darknet marketplaces, criminal forums, and related offenses, and is described as the primary agency responsible for policing the dark web [1] [8]. Because the FBI leads cross-cutting cyber and criminal investigations and is often the hub for multi-agency operations, initiating a report with the FBI is the practical default unless a more specific lead agency is apparent from the nature of the crime [8] [7].
2. When to contact a different federal agency: match the crime to the agency
Certain crimes commonly seen on the dark web align with other federal agencies’ missions: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has historic leadership in darknet drug and smuggling probes such as Silk Road [2], the Secret Service focuses on financial fraud and illicit markets tied to stolen data [1] [5], the DEA is active on drug-trafficking and related digital forensics [4], and Treasury/OFAC can act on sanctions and illicit finance revealed by darknet operations [3] [5]. ICE publicly maintains a tip line for suspicious criminal activity—available globally and staffed 24/7 at the number cited in ICE releases—which the public can use when the conduct falls into ICE’s enforcement portfolio [3].
3. How interagency work and policy gaps shape what happens after a tip
The dark web’s transnational, anonymized nature means most major takedowns are coordinated efforts involving multiple agencies and international partners, and policy work in Congress and oversight offices has pushed for better training, task forces and coordination [3] [7] [9]. At the same time, the DOJ Office of the Inspector General has found the FBI lacks a bureau-wide dark web strategy and relies on unit-level approaches, a structural limitation that affects how tips are triaged and which capabilities get deployed [6]. That means citizens should expect referral among agencies and differing investigative timelines rather than immediate action in many cases [6] [7].
4. Practical advice on what to report and privacy limitations of public reporting
When filing a report, include concrete evidence (URLs, screenshots, cryptocurrency transaction details, dates, user handles) and the specific alleged offense so authorities can route it to the appropriate federal component or local partner; different agencies emphasize financial trails, trafficking, or exploitation depending on the crime [4] [5]. Public reporting also carries limits: dark web investigations are complex, often international, and transparency about outcomes is uneven—official oversight and policy recommendations show agencies sometimes lack synchronized standards for collecting dark web evidence and sharing results [10] [6]. Sources also warn that merely announcing dark web use can draw investigative attention and that deleted activity isn’t necessarily irretrievable, a practical caution drawn from technical and legal discussions about forensic recovery and surveillance [11].
5. Bottom line and next steps for a prudent reporter of illegal darknet activity
Begin by reporting to the FBI as the default federal contact and, if the conduct is within another agency’s mission, use that agency’s public tip mechanisms—ICE’s publicly advertised tip line is one explicit example [1] [3]. Expect multi-agency coordination on significant matters, and be aware that structural gaps and evolving legislative efforts (including bills proposing task forces and training) mean processes are improving but not uniform across agencies [9] [6] [7]. If the incident involves immediate danger, victims, or local crime, local law enforcement should also be informed so they can coordinate with federal partners as needed [10].