black markets
Shadow economy zones
Black markets are systems of trade operating outside legal channels—selling goods that are prohibited, stolen, or evaded of taxes.
The singular refers to this underground economy as a concept: Sanctions created a thriving black market for fuel.
Prices on the black market often run higher than legal alternatives, reflecting the risk of prosecution.
The term extends metaphorically to any illicit exchange: a black market in forged documents.
Below ground or countercultural
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
- shadow economyUnrecorded commercial activity
- bootlegIllegally produced goods
off-the-books · clandestine · criminal networks · counterfeit · piracy · fencing · unlicensed · prohibited
Illegal transport for profit
- bootleggingIllegal alcohol production/sale
- mulesEquine crossbreeds or smugglers
- couriersProfessional delivery personnel
- coyotesNorth American wild canids
runners · cartels · syndicates · kingpins · border crossings · concealment · stash houses · tunnels
Prohibited trade goods
- narcoticsDrugs inducing sleep, numbness
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- bootlegIllegally produced goods
- knockoffsCounterfeit merchandise
forgery · stolen goods · weapons · organs · wildlife · antiquities · pharmaceuticals · fake documents
Disguising criminal proceeds' origins
- shell companiesLegally registered but inactive businesses
- offshore accountsBank deposits in other countries
- tax evasionIllegally avoiding government dues
- unreported incomeMoney not disclosed officially
cryptocurrency · cash transactions · wire transfers · front businesses · layering · structuring · smurfing · dirty money
underground
Below ground or countercultural
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
- shadow economyUnrecorded commercial activity
bootleg · off-the-books · clandestine · criminal networks · counterfeit · piracy · fencing · unlicensed · prohibited · unregulated
trafficking
Illegal transport for profit
- bootleggingIllegal alcohol production/sale
- mulesEquine crossbreeds or smugglers
- couriersProfessional delivery personnel
coyotes · runners · cartels · syndicates · kingpins · border crossings · concealment · stash houses · tunnels · dead drops
contraband
Prohibited trade goods
- narcoticsDrugs inducing sleep, numbness
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- bootlegIllegally produced goods
knockoffs · forgery · stolen goods · weapons · organs · wildlife · antiquities · pharmaceuticals · fake documents · ivory
money laundering
Disguising criminal proceeds' origins
- shell companiesLegally registered but inactive businesses
- offshore accountsBank deposits in other countries
- tax evasionIllegally avoiding government dues
unreported income · cryptocurrency · cash transactions · wire transfers · front businesses · layering · structuring · smurfing · dirty money · kickbacks
- groupsteam, teams, group, club, clubs
- wartimerationing, war economy, war bonds, war effort, evacuations
- North KoreaPyongyang, Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong-il
- postwarrebuilding, demobilization, peace treaties, treaty signing, war reparations
- rationingration stamps, coupon books, coupons, food rationing, gas rations
- secret networkssecret societies, cabals, cells, hidden networks, criminal networks
black marketsopen markets
Unrestricted commercial exchanges
public markets · retail stores · brick-and-mortar stores · shopping malls · stock exchanges
black, market, marketing, blacken, supermarket, markets, blackout, blackmail, marketplace