Three Hackers Steal $243 Million: Lavish Spending Leads to Arrests

In a high-profile digital heist, three hackers—Greavys (Malone), Wiz (Veer Chetal), and Box (Jeandiel)—managed to defraud a single victim of $243 million using a combination of social engineering and technical skills.

The attack, which took place on August 19, 2024, was meticulously examined by blockchain investigator ZachXBT. The hackers exploited the victim’s trust by impersonating Google and Gemini support, ultimately gaining access to sensitive information and redirecting the funds to a compromised wallet.

The criminals used remote desktop software AnyDesk to obtain the victim’s private keys, then laundered the funds through over 15 exchanges using various cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Monero to obscure the money trail.

A significant breakthrough came when Wiz, using the screen name Veer Chetal, accidentally revealed his real identity during a screenshare, aiding investigators. His accomplice, Light/Dark (Aakaash), also played a role in the laundering process and was later identified.

The stolen funds were lavishly spent, with Greavys indulging in luxury cars and high-profile parties. His social media activity inadvertently assisted the investigation. Box, who impersonated a Gemini representative, also left identifiable digital traces.

As of now, blockchain researchers and security teams have recovered $9 million of the stolen assets, with $500,000 returned to the victim. Both Greavys and Box have been arrested in Miami Beach and Los Angeles, and further recoveries and arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues.

Author

Alexander Stefanov

Reporter at CoinsPress

Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over five years of experience covering the industry, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics - stay ahead of the curve with CoinsPress.