Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments continue to gain popularity among consumers, with two of the biggest providers, Zelle and Venmo, reporting ongoing and significant gains. But amid that growth is a fresh trend that could present challenges for law enforcement — the use of such payment methods for illicit transactions, including drug deals.
Official evidence of that is relatively sketchy, but it isn’t difficult these days to find a drug dealer or buyer who relies on mobile P2P payments for those types of transactions. It would seem not wise to use those methods for illegal transactions, but no matter the product, seamless payments appeal to all types of buyers and sellers.