A couple has just been arrested and $3.6 billion in stolen cryptocurrencies seized, directly linked to the 2016 hack of exchange BitFinex. The report comes directly from the United States Department of Justice, stating that 119,754 Bitcoin has been recovered.
The suspects identified as Ilya Lichtenstein (34) and his wife Heather Morgan (31), were arrested in Manhattan, New York. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco stated that the arrest was “one of the largest in terms of financial seizure in history.”
Members of the crypto community added how “easy” it is to track funds moved around certain blockchains, calling digital assets a safer alternative to cash as public ledgers discourage criminals from operating on-chain.
Authorities have acknowledged that the suspects were allegedly able to break the BTC transaction flows, but they still were able to track the funds as the individuals were in the U.S. and used several Know Your Customer platforms with traceable IPs.
“Criminals always leave tracks, and today’s case is a reminder that the FBI has the tools to follow the digital trail, wherever it may lead,”
Paul M. Abbate, FBI Deputy Director
Creating A Safer Cryptocurrency Ecosystem
This is one step closer to making a safer environment for the vast public to join the cryptocurrency ecosystem with the confidence of knowing that illegal activities aren’t as anonymous as people make it out to seem.
“Cryptocurrency and the virtual currency exchanges trading in it comprise an expanding part of the U.S. financial system, but digital currency heists executed through complex money laundering schemes could undermine confidence in cryptocurrency…The Department of Justice and our office stand ready to confront these threats by using 21st century investigative techniques to recover the stolen funds and to hold the perpetrators accountable.”
Matthew M. Graves, US Attorney For The District Of Columbia
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