In the volatile world of cryptocurrencies, unexpected and difficult incidents can arise. On May 3, 2024, one such incident occurred when a victim of a “dust” attack lost 1,155 wrapped bitcoins (wBTC), worth $68 million. However, thanks to the quick and coordinated efforts of specialists from Match Systems and the cryptocurrency exchange Cryptex, all stolen funds were immediately returned to the rightful owner.

Details of the accident

On May 3, 2024, a large cryptocurrency holder was targeted by a classic “dust” attack. This type of attack, also known as a “dandruff attack,” resulted in $68 million worth of cryptocurrency being transferred to the address 0xd9A1C3788D81257612E2581A6ea0aDa244853a91, before it was distributed to different addresses controlled by the scammer.

Upon discovering the theft, the victim immediately sought assistance from Match Systems, a company specializing in blockchain investigations and financial crime prevention. Thanks to the prompt and efficient work of their experts, all stolen assets were traced and returned within a week.

Key insights

Match Systems was able to find important information that strengthened its negotiating position. Their team conducted a comprehensive analysis of the incident, identifying the hacker's IP address and other vital details that quickly led to the identification of the culprit. This intelligence gave the victim a significant advantage in negotiations, resulting in the hacker agreeing to return most of the stolen money.

After intense and rapid negotiations involving Match Systems and Cryptex, the hacker returned 22,960 ETH, representing more than 96% of the stolen funds in dollars.

Attack analysis

The "Dust" attack was automated and carried out using specialized software. The hacker, surprised by the unexpectedly large amount stolen, felt uneasy about keeping such a large sum. This discomfort likely contributed to the success of the negotiations And return the money

conclusion

This incident underscores the importance of seeking expert help immediately in the event of cryptocurrency theft. The sooner the victim seeks help, the greater the chances of recovering the stolen assets. In this case, due to the efforts of Match Systems and Cryptex, the victim was able to recover their assets and avoid significant financial loss.

Match Systems remains at the forefront of the fight against financial crime in the cryptocurrency sector, constantly helping clients protect and recover their digital assets.