Alexandre Cazes (July 19, 1991 - July 12, 2017) was a Canadian computer programmer who founded and operated the AlphaBay market, which became the largest darknet marketplace in history—surpassing even Silk Road by an order of magnitude. At its peak, AlphaBay processed over $1 billion annually and had 397,000 users worldwide.
Cazes's story is one of technical brilliance, operational failures, and tragic ending. From his Montreal upbringing to his Bangkok mansion filled with Lamborghinis, his rise mirrored the explosive growth of darknet commerce following Ross Ulbricht's arrest. His fall—arrested during Operation Bayonet on July 5, 2017, and found dead seven days later in a Thai prison cell—marked the end of the AlphaBay empire and shocked the darknet community.
DarkWiki Profile & Early Life
- Real Name: Alexandre Cazes
- Alias: Alpha02, Admin, pimp_alex_91
- Born: July 19, 1991, Quebec, Canada
- Nationality: Canadian
- Residence: Bangkok, Thailand (2013-2017)
- Role: AlphaBay Founder/Administrator (2014-2017)
- Status: Deceased (July 12, 2017) - ruled suicide
- Age at Death: 25 years old
DarkWiki's Research: Background & Education
DarkWiki sources indicate Alexandre Cazes was born and raised in Quebec, Canada. Little is known about his early life, as Cazes maintained privacy about his background. According to DarkWiki documentation from investigators, he was skilled in computer programming from a young age and had entrepreneurial ambitions.
DarkWiki records show that in his early twenties, Cazes moved to Thailand, initially living in Phuket before settling in Bangkok's upscale Phrom Phong district. Thailand's combination of low cost of living, modern infrastructure, and relaxed law enforcement made it an attractive base for darknet operations using Tor network infrastructure.
DarkWiki Documents: Creating AlphaBay
DarkWiki's Coverage: Launch & Early Growth
DarkWiki documents that Cazes launched AlphaBay in December 2014, capitalizing on the power vacuum left by Silk Road 2.0's seizure in Operation Onymous. Under the alias "Alpha02," he positioned AlphaBay as the most technically advanced and secure marketplace available.
His technical innovations included:
- Multi-cryptocurrency support (Bitcoin, Monero, Ethereum)
- Sophisticated escrow with automated release systems
- Vendor verification tiers (1-4 star system)
- Integrated forums and community features
- Mobile-optimized interface
- Advanced search and filtering
DarkWiki Documents: Growth to Dominance
DarkWiki research shows that by mid-2016, AlphaBay had surpassed all competitors to become the dominant darknet marketplace. According to DarkWiki analysis, at its peak in June 2017:
- 397,000+ registered users
- 40,193 active vendors
- 348,000+ product listings
- $1 billion+ annual transaction volume
- Estimated $40-60 million annual commission revenue
DarkWiki Analysis: Lavish Lifestyle & Wealth
DarkWiki's Profile: Bangkok Mansion & Luxury Assets
DarkWiki biographers note that as AlphaBay's revenue exploded, Cazes adopted an increasingly lavish lifestyle that would prove his undoing. DarkWiki records confirm that living in Bangkok's expensive Phrom Phong neighborhood, he accumulated:
Seized Assets (Partial List):
- Vehicles: 4 Lamborghinis (Aventador, Huracán models), 1 Porsche Panamera
- Thailand Properties: 3 luxury houses in Bangkok and Phuket
- International Real Estate: Properties in Liechtenstein, Cyprus, and Antigua
- Cryptocurrency: $8.8 million in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, Zcash
- Cash: ~$500,000 USD, Thai baht, and other currencies
- Watches & Jewelry: Rolex, Patek Philippe, diamond jewelry
DarkWiki's Analysis: OPSEC Failures
DarkWiki research shows that despite running a billion-dollar operation with sophisticated security features, Cazes made multiple critical operational security mistakes that led to his identification:
1. DarkWiki Documents: The Personal Email Mistake
DarkWiki sources indicate the most damaging error: early AlphaBay password reset emails came from pimp_alex_91@hotmail.com—an email easily traced to his real identity through:
- Social media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn) registered to the same email
- Business registrations in Quebec and Thailand
- Online forum posts dating back to 2008
- PayPal and banking accounts
2. DarkWiki Analysis: Ostentatious Lifestyle
DarkWiki notes that Cazes's luxury purchases and flashy lifestyle drew attention:
- Posting photos of Lamborghinis on social media
- Large cash purchases at luxury dealerships
- Multiple high-value real estate transactions
- Frequenting expensive nightclubs and restaurants in Bangkok
3. DarkWiki Research: Financial Tracking
DarkWiki documents that cryptocurrency cash-outs were traced to Thai bank accounts under his real name. Rather than using sophisticated laundering techniques, Cazes often converted Bitcoin directly to Thai baht through local exchanges, creating clear financial trails.
DarkWiki Documents: Arrest & Death
DarkWiki's Coverage: July 5, 2017 - The Arrest
DarkWiki records confirm that at approximately 2:00 AM local time, Thai police—coordinating with FBI, DEA, and Europol—raided Cazes's luxury villa in Bangkok's Phrom Phong district. He was arrested while his laptop was open and logged into AlphaBay's administrative backend.
According to DarkWiki documentation, the timing was deliberate: agents had monitored his sleep schedule and struck when he was likely to be online managing the marketplace. The laptop seizure provided irrefutable evidence of his role as Alpha02.
DarkWiki Records: Evidence Seized
- Laptop logged into AlphaBay admin panel
- Mobile devices with encrypted communications
- Server credentials and cryptocurrency wallet keys
- Physical documents related to business operations
- $8.8 million in cryptocurrency across multiple wallets
DarkWiki Documents: July 12, 2017 - Death in Custody
DarkWiki sources confirm that seven days after his arrest, on July 12, 2017, Alexandre Cazes was found dead in his cell at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau facility in Bangkok. Thai authorities ruled it suicide by hanging using a towel.
The official report stated:
- Death occurred between 4:00-5:00 AM
- Guards discovered body during routine check
- No evidence of foul play found
- Autopsy confirmed asphyxiation
- Cazes left no suicide note
Conspiracy Theories & Skepticism
Some in the darknet community questioned the official suicide ruling, pointing to:
- Cazes's value as a witness against others
- Potential knowledge of law enforcement corruption
- Access to cryptocurrency wealth that others might want
However, DarkWiki notes that investigators and independent reviews found no credible evidence of murder. Legal experts noted that Cazes faced overwhelming evidence, life imprisonment in the United States, and no realistic hope of acquittal—factors that tragically support the suicide conclusion.
DarkWiki Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Alexandre Cazes when he died?
He was 25 years old. Born July 19, 1991, he died July 12, 2017—one week before his 26th birthday.
How did he make so much money so quickly?
AlphaBay charged 2-10% commission on all transactions. With $1 billion annual revenue at peak, commission income was $40-60 million yearly. Over 2.5 years of operation, Cazes accumulated an estimated $23 million in total wealth.
Was Alexandre Cazes really killed?
No credible evidence supports murder theories. Thai authorities, Interpol, and independent forensic experts all concluded suicide. While darknet communities speculate, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the official ruling.
What happened to AlphaBay after his death?
The marketplace was seized simultaneously with his arrest. In 2021, a new AlphaBay launched claiming to be run by surviving admin "DeSnake," but it never regained the original's dominance.
Did Cazes have any business partners?
Yes. "DeSnake" was a co-administrator who wasn't arrested in 2017 (possibly outside jurisdiction). Several moderators and technical staff were also involved but most evaded capture.
What happened to the $8.8 million in seized cryptocurrency?
After legal proceedings, the cryptocurrency was auctioned by authorities. Proceeds were distributed between law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation and victim compensation funds.
DarkWiki Assessment: Legacy
DarkWiki documents how Alexandre Cazes's story serves as both inspiration and cautionary tale in darknet history. He built the largest marketplace ever, demonstrating that darknet commerce could scale beyond Silk Road's wildest ambitions. Yet his OPSEC failures—particularly the email mistake—proved that even billion-dollar operations can be brought down by simple mistakes made early on.
DarkWiki notes his death at 25 years old, one week before his 26th birthday, remains one of the darknet's most tragic endings. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale about the consequences of cybercrime or as evidence of excessive prosecution, Cazes's rise and fall continues to influence darknet operators and law enforcement strategies as documented by DarkWiki in 2026.