Kill List: Episode 2 – "Cold Call"

Overview

In the second episode of Kill List titled "Cold Call," host Carl Miller delves deeper into the harrowing investigation of a darknet murder-for-hire website. Faced with a burgeoning list of potential victims, Carl and his team develop a strategic approach to identify and warn those endangered by covert kill orders. This episode chronicles the emotional and logistical challenges involved in reaching out to targets, culminating in a tense confrontation with one of the individuals on the list.

The Pipeline: A Strategic Approach

By July 2020, Carl Miller’s investigation, aided by hacker Chris Montero, had uncovered nearly 600 active users on the Hitman for Hire site, with new kill orders continuously emerging. Recognizing the overwhelming volume, Carl, Chris, and their team of journalists and producers devised a triage system dubbed the "Pipeline." This system prioritized threats based on the immediacy and severity of the danger to individuals.

Carl Miller [06:00]: "Step one we narrowed the cases down to the most dangerous threats. Not everyone who messages the assassination site ends up paying for a hit."

Identifying and Verifying Threats

The first step involved confirming the legitimacy of kill orders by analyzing blockchain data to trace Bitcoin transactions linked to specific targets. Chris Montero played a pivotal role by accessing the backend of the Hitman website, enabling the team to verify payments and identify genuine threats.

Carl Miller [06:51]: "Brenna Smith was our open source intelligence expert. Her job was to make absolutely sure we had the right person and to find a way to contact them."

Brenna Smith, an open-source intelligence expert from Bellingcat, meticulously scoured social media platforms to locate and verify the identities of potential targets. Her dedication underscored the meticulous nature of their investigation.

Crafting the Message: A Sensitive Approach

Acknowledging the gravity of informing individuals about impending threats, Carl collaborated with clinical psychologist Dr. Howard Fine to develop a compassionate communication strategy. The goal was to deliver the unsettling news without causing undue panic, allowing targets to maintain a sense of control over their next steps.

Dr. Howard Fine [07:39]: "The conversation was designed to gradually put them back in the driving seat."

The script emphasized providing information about the dark web presence and setting up a secure time and place for further discussion, ensuring that the revelation was both impactful and sensitive.

The Struggle of Cold Calling

Carl’s attempts to execute the cold calls were fraught with anxiety and frequent rejections. The initial attempts were met with skepticism and outright refusal, highlighting the immense difficulty in convincing individuals of the veracity of his claims.

Carl Miller [09:30]: "The cold call doesn't fucking work. People think it's scams."

Despite these setbacks, Carl persisted, driven by the urgent need to save lives. The breakthrough came when he managed to connect with Elena, a target on the kill list.

A Breakthrough with Elena

After numerous unsuccessful calls, Carl finally reached Elena, a woman in her 60s who was indifferent to the revelation that someone had paid to have her killed. This interaction provided crucial insights into the motivations behind the kill orders.

Elena [27:11]: "I'm having an ugly divorce. It's going on for about three years now. And my husband actually doesn't Want to pay it."

Elena revealed that her estranged husband was likely behind the kill order, motivated by financial disputes arising from their prolonged and contentious divorce. Her calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the severity of the situation, adding layers of complexity to the investigation.

Escalating Threats and New Orders

Just as the team began to gain traction, new kill orders started flooding in, intensifying the urgency of their mission. Nordwald, the alias of the individual placing orders, became increasingly impatient, pressuring the team to fulfill assassination requests swiftly.

Carl Miller [19:46]: "Until Nordwald is caught, Elena's life is in danger."

This escalation underscored the persistent and growing threat posed by the darknet platform, emphasizing that the team’s efforts were racing against time.

Expanding the Team: International Collaboration

Confronted with the global spread of kill orders and the limitations imposed by COVID-19 lockdowns, Carl expanded his team by enlisting freelance journalists from various countries. These journalists were tasked with approaching targets face-to-face, a risky but necessary step to ensure effective communication and safety.

Carl Miller [17:41]: "This is an interesting journalistic assignment."

The inclusion of international collaborators like Franziska in Switzerland, Esperanza in Spain, and Jonathan in Holland highlighted the expansive and collaborative nature of the investigation.

Climactic Confrontation and Emotional Toll

The episode reached its climax when Franziska Engelhardt, the Swiss journalist, successfully coordinated a live call with Elena. The conversation was heart-wrenching as Carl struggled to convey the dire situation without overwhelming her.

Carl Miller [24:32]: "I'm sorry to disturb you like this. My name's Carl and I'm a journalist."

Elena’s revelation about her husband's potential threat and her nonchalant reaction provided a stark example of the varied human responses to imminent danger. The emotional weight of this conversation left Carl feeling more burdened and uncertain about the effectiveness of their efforts.

Conclusion: The Unfolding Crisis

As the episode concludes, the team grapples with the realization that merely warning victims may not be sufficient to ensure their safety. With Nordwald’s threats intensifying and more kill orders being placed, the urgency to apprehend the mastermind behind the operation grows.

Carl Miller [30:35]: "How long will it be before he realizes that he's been scammed? And when he does, will he take matters into his own hands?"

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Triage: The "Pipeline" system effectively prioritized threats, enabling the team to focus on the most imminent dangers.
• Emotional and Ethical Challenges: Delivering life-threatening news imposed significant emotional strain on Carl and his team, highlighting the ethical complexities of such an investigation.
• Global Collaboration: Expanding the team internationally was crucial in addressing the widespread nature of the darknet kill orders.
• Escalating Threats: The increasing volume and pressure from Nordwald underscored the persistent and growing danger posed by the darknet platform.

Notable Quotes

• Carl Miller [06:00]: "I think it should just be threat to life. I don't think we should do it by investigatory potential."
• Brenna Smith [07:04]: "It's kind of a mind fuck looking for these people because I feel like I'm hunting them too when somebody else also wants them to be hunted."
• Carl Miller [09:30]: "People think it's scams."
• Elena [27:11]: "I'm having an ugly divorce. It's going on for about three years now."
• Carl Miller [30:35]: "How long will it be before he realizes that he's been scammed?"

Final Thoughts

Episode 2 of Kill List masterfully intertwines investigative journalism with real-life suspense, showcasing the relentless pursuit of truth in the face of digital menace. Carl Miller’s journey is a testament to the complexities and perils inherent in exposing covert criminal operations, setting the stage for further revelations in subsequent episodes.