On-Chain Detective Links Hacker to $90 Million Government Theft

A hacker named John, alias “Lick,” allegedly controls a $23 million wallet linked to a $90 million US government theft. ZachXBT uncovered this through a recorded chat where John boasted about his wealth, aiding in wallet tracing.

A prominent on-chain investigator, ZachXBT, has connected a hacker known as “John” to a $23 million wallet tied to $90 million in stolen funds from a 2024 US government property heist.

The revelation underscores the effectiveness of blockchain as a tool in identifying significant cyber thefts, highlighting the vulnerabilities in government cryptocurrency handling.

ZachXBT, an established on-chain investigator, identified “John” using publicly accessible blockchain data. In a group chat, John allegedly boasted about his wealth, allowing ZachXBT to connect his identity with a wallet holding $23 million.

The linkage has sent ripples through law enforcement and security agencies, given the magnitude of the $90 million theft. This incident emphasizes the ongoing challenges posed by sophisticated cybercriminals targeting government assets.

Historically, significant cyber thefts mirror this incident, such as the North Korean-affiliated Lazarus Group’s heists. Authorities often struggle to recover stolen funds, a challenge magnified by the use of decentralized exchanges and laundering techniques.

Insights into the potential regulatory responses are speculative, yet the event may spur enhanced vigilance and scrutiny of blockchain transactions, and could lead to stronger cybersecurity protocols within government systems.