⏱ 2 min read
A Colombian kingpin is facing the heat after being extradited to the US for masterminding a massive dark web marketplace that raked in millions from illicit deals. Patrick Schmitz, 37, lived in Taganga, Colombia, but was born in Germany.
The Versus Project, also known as Versus, was a top-tier dark web marketplace that enabled over 380,000 users to buy and sell illicit goods, including heroin, stolen IDs, and hacking tools, from November 2019 to May 2022.
As a cofounder of Versus, Schmitz oversaw daily operations, handled customer complaints, approved vendors, and even poached staff to work on the platform. He promoted Versus on the dark web and devised ways to monetize it, netting millions in cryptocurrency.
Schmitz was arrested in Colombia in June 2024 and extradited to the US on April 29, 2026. He made his initial appearance before a US magistrate judge and is being held pending trial.
The Versus Project facilitated over 300,000 transactions worth millions of dollars, cementing its status as a leading dark web marketplace.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Cybercrime
- Defendant: New Jersey
- Location: NJ
- Source: DOJ Press Release
