At the time of the initial hack, the crypto was worth approximately 77 million. And today the increased value is an estimated $4.5 billion. Law enforcement has been able to track back and seize over $3.6 billion in cryptocurrency linked to the Bitfinex hack.
FBI hacks back stolen crypto
IRS-CI Washington, D.C. Field Office’s Cyber Crimes Unit led the investigation. They were supported by the FBI’s Chicago Field Office, and HSI-New York. And the Ansbach Police Department in Germany assisted in this investigation.
According to the arrest warrant Statement of Facts, Lichtenstein and Morgan are linked to the bitcoin wallets where the bitcoin was being held.
Authorities got search warrants of online accounts controlled by Lichtenstein and Morgan. They were able to track the bitcoin and hack back a substantial amount.
Court documents allege that Lichtenstein and Morgan conspired to launder the stolen 119,754 bitcoin. When Bitfinex was breached, hackers initiated more than 2,000 unauthorized transactions.
