If you’ve ever been the victim of a scam artist or been robbed or stolen from (in the  drug  world, we call that  “getting beat”), you know how much it hurts. One minute, you’re excitedly contemplating the quality of the drugs you’re about to get, and the next, you’re sitting there with nothing but anger and a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.

In this article, we’ll explore the most common  scams, methods, and ways people who are less than scrupulous may try to steal your money and how you can avoid them.

The Dos and Don’ts of Buying Drugs

Do:

1. Avoid Online “Vendors” – Unless they’re on a “.onion” Site – Did someone message you offering to sell you as much product as you want? Stop. Legitimate dealers don’t search for clients on Telegram, WhatsApp, Quora, or other apps. You’re not going to get your order, and thanks to prohibition, there’s nothing you can do about it. If you call the police (like Dave did – don’t be like Dave), they’re likely going to arrest you.
2. Keep Your Money in Your  Hand Until You Have the Product – Sometimes, even face-to-face deals go wrong.  Often, the person you’re handing your money to isn’t the actual dealer but  rather just facilitating the transaction. And, sometimes, they’re just an addict trying to survive. This creates an incentive to steal.
3. Get a fentanyl testing kit. There is very little actual heroin available these days, and even prescription medications are sometimes counterfeit. If you’re an opiate user, you likely already know this. However, the issue is made worse by contamination of unrelated drugs (according to the DEA, fentanyl is being found in methamphetamine now). Test your product before using it. Knowledge is power, and there’s no such thing as too much knowledge.

Don’t

• Hand over the money until you actually have the product in hand – If whoever is selling the drugs isn’t actually there, don’t part with the money!
• Let your guard down – sometimes people who are in withdrawal or are in a tough situation get desperate and will try to rob you.
• Use your drugs in the same place you bought them.  Cops know what goes on in drug markets, and if you don’t belong there, they will spot you. As hard as it is, just wait until you get home (or at least off the block and to a public bathroom)
• Agree to strange requests – secluded locations, requests for extra money, or last-minute changes to previously agreed upon plans – are all warning signs. Use common sense when purchasing your libations.
• Risk your life to save your product.  Sometimes, despite following these strategies, you will still be robbed, and if that happens, don’t resist. Just make a mental note of the person, and avoid doing business with them in the future.

By keeping these things in mind when purchasing narcotics, you can help reduce the likelihood of not receiving your product or being arrested (or worse) before you enjoy it.

Coming soon! Our guide to using the TOR browser to purchase substances from .onion sites (the dark web). Bookmark this page and check back soon for this much-awaited article! Stay safe out there!