Summary:
$72 million in Bitcoin stolen in 2016, now worth $4.5 billion.
Police tracked stolen Bitcoin through its public blockchain.
Ilya and Heather abruptly left successful tech careers for a life of crime.
Heather adopted a rap persona, Razzlekhan, despite lacking talent.
FBI found incriminating evidence, including burner phones labeled for easy identification.
Bitfinex seeks compensation for users, potentially benefiting from the stolen assets.
Heather released from prison due to health issues, continues to engage in cryptocurrency.
$1 billion in Bitcoin remains unaccounted for.
The Netflix documentary, Biggest Heist Ever, reveals the outrageous crimes of Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan, a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, who pulled off a heist worth $72 million in Bitcoin in 2016. This amount has ballooned to approximately $4.5 billion today due to the cryptocurrency's rapid growth. The film dives into the details of how this couple, both tech enthusiasts, transitioned from successful careers in Silicon Valley to orchestrating one of the largest heists in history.
10 Police Watched The Stolen Money Being Spent
Bitcoin's unique nature means that while it offers anonymity, it also leaves a digital trail. Law enforcement was able to track the stolen Bitcoin from Bitfinex, the exchange that was hacked, to the couple's accounts and monitor their spending habits. This unique visibility of cryptocurrency posed challenges for the thieves, as their transactions could be traced.
9 Heather & Ilya Left A Thriving Tech Startup
Despite their success, Ilya and Heather abruptly moved to New York City, leaving behind their tech careers. This decision raised eyebrows, but it wasn't until their involvement in the heist came to light that it made sense.
8 Razzlekhan Was Inspired By Awkwafina
Heather embraced a new persona as a rapper named Razzlekhan, inspired by her interview with Awkwafina. Despite lacking talent, she pursued this career, even as it contradicted her professional image.
6 Ilya's Father Was Also A Skilled Hacker
Ilya's father, a skilled hacker himself, may have played a role in helping the couple execute their heist, although he was not a central figure in the investigation.
5 The Bag Labeled Burner Phones And Other Evidence
In their New York apartment, the FBI discovered incriminating evidence, including burner phones labeled explicitly for their intended use. This lack of caution was striking for individuals involved in such a massive crime.
3 Bitfinex May Be The Primary Beneficiary Of The Seized Bitcoin
Bitfinex, the company from which the Bitcoin was stolen, has sought to compensate its users, potentially positioning itself as the main beneficiary of the seized assets, which have appreciated significantly in value.
2 Heather Was Released From Prison Due To Health Conditions
Despite her involvement in the heist, Heather was released from prison due to health issues, allowing her to continue her activities in the cryptocurrency space.
1 A Billion Dollars Worth Of Bitcoin Is Still Unaccounted For
While the FBI recovered over $3 billion, there remains $1 billion worth of Bitcoin unaccounted for, raising questions about its fate. The couple's actions and the resulting fallout from their heist continue to captivate audiences, highlighting the complexities of cryptocurrency crime.
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