A loot worth more than 3 billion dollars. There is everything in this story to make it a blockbuster and netflix, whose name is already circulating behind the scenes, has smelled the blow. First there is her: Heather Rhiannon Morganalias Razzlekhan, 33, occasional rapper, business woman accomplished, provocative allure just right and slightly outgoing personality. Then there is him: Ilya Lichtenstein, alias Dutch, 35, tech entrepreneur, little computer genius, shy and withdrawn. Then finally, this couple is accused of orchestrating the 2016 record Bitfinex hack and stealing 120,000 BTC before attempting to blanch them. Here, there are all the elements to make it a story, including Hollywood has the secret. Silence is turned !
An incredible story that would even interest Netflix!
Indeed, it is not surprising that the biggest studios are interested in the details of this history true that far exceeds a large number of average scenarios. When one reads the press clippings of the time, one can feel the delight of the journalists sure to hold the history of the year. A couple of influencers who revolve around the financewho puts on a show on social networks and who suddenly finds himself with the handcuffs in front of cameras around the world, there is bound to be something to keep the general public in suspense! Scandal, sequins, Bitcoinbillions of dollars, FBItickets full the hotel room, reality definitely exceeds fiction.
Hunted since 2016 by FBI sleuths, they were finally arrested last February and charged with numerous crimes, including various conspiracies in view of defraud and of whiten THE 120,000 BTC stolen from Bitfinex in 2016. According to the court file, Ilya Lichtenstein is clearly the author of the hack:
“Lichtenstein used a number of advanced hacking tools and techniques to gain access to the Bitfinex network. Once inside their systems, Lichtenstein fraudulently authorized over 2,000 transactions in which 119,754 bitcoins were transferred from Bitfinex to a cryptocurrency wallet under Lichtenstein’s control. Lichtenstein then took steps to cover his tracks (…). After the hack, Lichtenstein enlisted the help of his wife, Morgan, to launder the stolen funds. »
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Theft, money laundering, fraud, the bill could be salty for New Yorkers in the Bitfinex affair
After their first appearance, they were released on bail on February 14 and had to stand again these days to choose to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges against them. Finally, it was the day before yesterday that they appeared before the Federal Court of New York and they pleaded guiltyboth.
Ilya Lichtenstein pleaded guilty to conspiracy to whiten money from Bitfinex, which is punishable in the United States with a maximum penalty of 20 years from prison. Heather Morgan pleaded guilty to conspiracy, whitening money and conspiracy to defraud the United States, these two charges each carrying a maximum penalty of 5 years from prison. But since this story is decidedly made to catch the light, hearings were scheduled today at almost the same time as another US media megastar: donald trump ! The former president, also in legal problems, was expected at 4 p.m. and the media began to crowd a little too much in front of the building. The judge preferred to advance the time of the meeting of the Crypto Torqueas our colleagues across the Atlantic call them, to avoid any problems.
Finally, you should know in conclusion that the judge specified that certain aspects of the case involved information classified which not everyone would have access to. When you are told that this case is extraordinary, it is hardly exaggerated. The fact remains that years of prison are at stake for this duo who will soon have to explain themselves to justice. But regardless, the story will go down in crypto annals for an 8-digit bitcoin theft, Without weapons, neither hatred, nor violence.
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