Ilya Lichtenstein gives new testimony

[zasad@]

This old story
https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/07/21/razzlekhan-husband-make-plea-deal-in-bitfinex-hack-laundering-case-worth-billions/

"A couple accused of laundering funds drained from crypto exchange Bitfinex in the 2016 hack have agreed to enter a plea deal with U.S. authorities, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan and Ilya Lichtenstein, married New York residents who were arrested in February 2022, had faced allegations of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. The U.S. Attorney has ordered the couple to forfeit billions of dollars worth of bitcoin, ether, stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies, in addition to cash from their bank accounts, at the time of conviction, according to a court filing."

Various articles say that the married couple faces 20 years in prison, so they made a deal with the US government
Now Ilya Lichtenstein testifies against his accomplices
https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2024/02/27/man-who-laundered-billions-in-bitcoins-says-bitcoin-fog-was-a-help-bloomberg/

[Lucius]

I like this kind of "justice" less and less, because in the end it is not the fault of the one who committed the crime, but those who enabled him to launder (hide) the stolen funds. Now the authorities are offering him a "smaller penalty" if he points the finger at all those mixers he used, and points them to those other services that, in his words, "suited his purposes better."

If nothing else, at least we know that they are re-opening the mixer hunting season after the winter break...

[yhiaali3]

This story reminds me of a real-life movie I watched a while ago, Bitconned, that tells the story of the coin scam Centra Tech, a cryptocurrency company dreamed up by two scammers in South Florida that claims to be an automated Bitcoin exchange service.

The similarity in the story is that the main fraudster  "Ray Trapani" who gathered the rest of the fraudsters around him, cooperated with the federal authorities, ratted out his associates, pleaded guilty to 10 charges, including securities fraud and wire fraud, and was sentenced only to time served during the investigation. He was released (due to his cooperation with the authorities).

While his colleagues, Sharma, was imprisoned on charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud, and is still serving an eight-year prison sentence. Farkas also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud. He spent a year in prison and then was released.

Nice movie worth watching:
https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/bitconned-release-date-cast-news

How wonderful American justice is, and how lucky are the criminals in the United States. You just have to admit your guilt, inform your colleagues, and get out of prison.

[zasad@]

How wonderful American justice is, and how lucky are the criminals in the United States. You just have to admit your guilt, inform your colleagues, and get out of prison.

I would say that justice in the United States is very lenient and such cooperation is more an exception than a common coincidence. Thanks to the testimony of such a major criminal, the US law enforcement system will unravel many crimes and confiscate many more cryptocurrencies.
If you are involved in crimes, you should know that your accomplice can then pass on information to the judicial system to reduce your prison sentence.

[Lucius]

~snip~
If you are involved in crimes, you should know that your accomplice can then pass on information to the judicial system to reduce your prison sentence.

In other words, if you want to avoid a big prison sentence (or any sentence at all), all you have to do is to include as many people as possible in your "scam business" that you will blame for everything if business goes downhill. For me, the person who thought up and organized everything is the most guilty, and only then those who helped him in it.

In this way, the system sends the wrong message to those it is supposed to discourage from doing bad things - because if there is any possibility that they will do something bad and get away with it in the end, there is no doubt that some of them will do it.

[zasad@]

~snip~
If you are involved in crimes, you should know that your accomplice can then pass on information to the judicial system to reduce your prison sentence.

In other words, if you want to avoid a big prison sentence (or any sentence at all), all you have to do is to include as many people as possible in your "scam business" that you will blame for everything if business goes downhill. For me, the person who thought up and organized everything is the most guilty, and only then those who helped him in it.

In this way, the system sends the wrong message to those it is supposed to discourage from doing bad things - because if there is any possibility that they will do something bad and get away with it in the end, there is no doubt that some of them will do it.

In my country, whoever confesses first is the witness I read some cases of Russian hackers in the USA, and there the success of cooperation was greatly influenced by an expensive and professional lawyer, and the number of crimes solved also influenced the reduction of the prison term.
But in all these cooperations there is one important point. If a convicted fraudster defrauds the court system or fails to hand over all the stolen money, he will receive the maximum prison sentence.

[pinggoki]

In other words, if you want to avoid a big prison sentence (or any sentence at all), all you have to do is to include as many people as possible in your "scam business" that you will blame for everything if business goes downhill. For me, the person who thought up and organized everything is the most guilty, and only then those who helped him in it.

In this way, the system sends the wrong message to those it is supposed to discourage from doing bad things - because if there is any possibility that they will do something bad and get away with it in the end, there is no doubt that some of them will do it.

That also depends on who you're including because there's some type of people that you'd want to be a part of your illegal business and those that you don't want, a good example of person that you'd want to be in your circle are the senators, congressmen, officials at a certain department and maybe even generals or high-ranking officials in the military, when you've got one influential and powerful one on your pocket, you're definitely going to see your business destroyed or you even getting a jailtime because they know that when you do get the jailtime, you're going to also be likely to sing some tunes that wouldn't favor these people and they don't like that idea. The type of people that you don't want in your business is the same people as you, they don't have any influence and you and them have the same skillset, the reasoning for that is the fact that they don't have any kind of power that they can help you with, you're an equal so when they get to jail first, they're definitely going to sing and you will not be the one getting that reduced or no jailtime. I guess they didn't want to share their money to those powerful people and keep it for themselves, not so cunning after all.

Man, it's really scary when you try to mess with the taxes that the US Government, they'll drop all the resources that they've got at their disposal just to get their righteous part in your earnings, did any of you know that IRS also wants a part of your earnings in illegal businesses and stolen properties? They really want to get all the money that they can get their hands on even if the situation that they'll get it is deplorable and vile.

[zasad@]

pinggoki, but I don’t think that an influential person needs to cover up scammers. Sam Bankman Fried also had influential acquaintances of officials, but after Sam’s accusations, his officials decided to return the money received from the SBF and its funds and stay away from this situation.

This is the fate that awaits scammers:

Sam Bankman-Fried extorted, harassed by jailhouse snitches working for the feds: ex-cop
https://nypost.com/2024/02/28/business/sam-bankman-fried-extorted-harassed-by-jailhouse-snitches-working-for-the-feds-ex-cop/

[stompix]

In other words, if you want to avoid a big prison sentence (or any sentence at all), all you have to do is to include as many people as possible in your "scam business" that you will blame for everything if business goes downhill. For me, the person who thought up and organized everything is the most guilty, and only then those who helped him in it.

There is another thing and the main reason why two of them got away so easily, they've forfeit the money , the DoJ managed to seize 34 millions (and this was the reason for Sharma getting the sentence as he was in possession of that wallet) and the rest also complied with giving up the sums requested by the plaintiff.
This is one of the reasons some get life sentences and some a slap on the wrist on financial crimes, if the money is recovered and the victims compensated you can get away with it fairly easy as in the end there are technically no victims unlike in a murder.

In my country, whoever confesses first is the witness

In your country whoever doesn't shout Sieg Putler jumps out of the window.
No matter how rotten the US system is it's still 10000 years ahead of the russian one!

[zasad@]

In your country whoever doesn't shout Sieg Putler jumps out of the window.
No matter how rotten the US system is it's still 10000 years ahead of the russian one!

When I study European or American legislation and their cases, I try to understand them and not just criticize them.
You have a very negative opinion about Russia because you read news that happens mainly in Moscow. Any political affairs are always dirty and any event in Moscow that is not agreed with the authorities will be closed.

If you look in the regions, after the death of Navalny, a couple of dozen idiot patriots gathered in my city of 1 million people, who shouted for a couple of hours and dispersed.
The police did not take any harsh measures, except for detaining a few rowdies.

I’m glad that in my city people understand that a man whose daughter is studying in America and whose wife lives in Europe will not do anything good for Russia.

And it’s really a pity that you judge the country by the events that take place in Moscow.

[stompix]

I’m glad that in my city people understand that a man whose daughter is studying in America and whose wife lives in Europe will not do anything good for Russia.

Oh, so the protest where against your foreign affair minster too?

Cause the daughter of Lavrov was not only born in the US because her mother choose to go there in her last month of pregnancy for her to be granted citizenship but also she attended New York’s Columbia University! So, say it, a guy like Lavrov is a traitor! I dare you ! Say it!
Or that piece of shit traitor Dmitry Peskov who sent his daughter to study in Paris! Say it 
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/12/us/kremlin-kids-in-the-west-invs/index.html

You people have been brainwashed till there is no trace of synapse dust there, eveything is bad in the western world yet every single one of your politicians sends his kids to European and american universities and buys mansions and villas in Europe and gets married and has children's there to get double citizenship.
But the europe bad, us terrible, russia stonk!

You have a very negative opinion about Russia because you read news that happens mainly in Moscow.

Lols at the ridiculous situation when one admits that jumping out of the window is how the justice works there, but it only happens in the capital, nothing bad!

[zasad@]

I’m glad that in my city people understand that a man whose daughter is studying in America and whose wife lives in Europe will not do anything good for Russia.

Oh, so the protest where against your foreign affair minster too?

Cause the daughter of Lavrov was not only born in the US because her mother choose to go there in her last month of pregnancy for her to be granted citizenship but also she attended New York’s Columbia University! So, say it, a guy like Lavrov is a traitor! I dare you ! Say it!
Or that piece of shit traitor Dmitry Peskov who sent his daughter to study in Paris! Say it 
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/12/us/kremlin-kids-in-the-west-invs/index.html

You people have been brainwashed till there is no trace of synapse dust there, eveything is bad in the western world yet every single one of your politicians sends his kids to European and american universities and buys mansions and villas in Europe and gets married and has children's there to get double citizenship.
But the europe bad, us terrible, russia stonk!

You have a very negative opinion about Russia because you read news that happens mainly in Moscow.

Lols at the ridiculous situation when one admits that jumping out of the window is how the justice works there, but it only happens in the capital, nothing bad!

Before the war situation, it was normal for the children of officials to study abroad, but now this number is greatly reduced. Lavrov and Dmitry Peskov do not criticize the authorities in Russia and work in Russia’s interests.
In Europe, they often block the bank accounts of former Russians who have already lived and honestly worked in Europe for more than 5 years; they impose restrictions on villas, mansions and other property, so there is no point in a Russian person obtaining dual citizenship.

[blckhawk]

Before the war situation, it was normal for the children of officials to study abroad, but now this number is greatly reduced. Lavrov and Dmitry Peskov do not criticize the authorities in Russia and work in Russia’s interests.
In Europe, they often block the bank accounts of former Russians who have already lived and honestly worked in Europe for more than 5 years; they impose restrictions on villas, mansions and other property, so there is no point in a Russian person obtaining dual citizenship.

It's a fair thing for them to do though, we all know how ruthless the spy network that Russia got so freezing the assets of Russian expatriates especially those that has some sort of connection to Russian oligarchs or officials is a fair thing to do, I mean if the Russian expats find it unfair, shouldn't they be saying something about what Russia is doing in Ukraine right? Do these couple help in funding the war for Russia abroad or something? That 20 year prison sentence really did make them do something unthinkable for a Russian ally if you ask, going on a deal to make sure that they're not going to face any jail time, if what I've ask about their identity and purpose is true, that means it's a loss for Russia given that it's a money that they can use to further fund their Ukraine invasion war machine.

[zasad@]

Before the war situation, it was normal for the children of officials to study abroad, but now this number is greatly reduced. Lavrov and Dmitry Peskov do not criticize the authorities in Russia and work in Russia’s interests.
In Europe, they often block the bank accounts of former Russians who have already lived and honestly worked in Europe for more than 5 years; they impose restrictions on villas, mansions and other property, so there is no point in a Russian person obtaining dual citizenship.

It's a fair thing for them to do though, we all know how ruthless the spy network that Russia got so freezing the assets of Russian expatriates especially those that has some sort of connection to Russian oligarchs or officials is a fair thing to do, I mean if the Russian expats find it unfair, shouldn't they be saying something about what Russia is doing in Ukraine right? Do these couple help in funding the war for Russia abroad or something? That 20 year prison sentence really did make them do something unthinkable for a Russian ally if you ask, going on a deal to make sure that they're not going to face any jail time, if what I've ask about their identity and purpose is true, that means it's a loss for Russia given that it's a money that they can use to further fund their Ukraine invasion war machine.

Millions of Ukrainians live in Russia and no one oppresses them or blocks their accounts.
If sanctions in Europe applied only to Russian officials and oligarchs, then this would be great, but in reality, the exact opposite is happening. Russian officials and businessmen freely come to Europe and spend money there, and Russian people who have already lived there for more than 5 years get a lot of problems.

[zasad@]

Hacker who stole and laundered billions in bitcoin with wife’s help gets 5-year sentence
https://nypost.com/2024/11/14/business/ilya-lichtenstein-sentenced-to-5-years-for-bitfinex-bitcoin-hack/

"A New York technology entrepreneur was sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty last year to laundering funds stolen from Bitfinex, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, with the help of his wife.

Ilya Lichtenstein, 35, hacked into Bitfinex’s network in 2016, using advanced hacking tools and techniques, and stole about 120,000 bitcoin, the Justice Department said in a statement.

He and his wife Heather Morgan, who used the hip-hop alias “Razzklekhan” to promote her music, were arrested in February 2022."

[Z-tight]

Hacker who stole and laundered billions in bitcoin with wife’s help gets 5-year sentence

I believe the sentence is lenient because of the plea deal they entered with the U.S. law enforcement authorities and the fact that most of the money was recovered. I don't know how to react to the sentencing, but i noticed that plea deals help people get off lightly, i guess the information they provide to law enforcement is very valuable and earns them a light sentence. Heather Morgan, Lichtenstein's wife is to be sentenced in Nov 18, that's today, but i cannot find any info on it yet.

[zasad@]

Hacker who stole and laundered billions in bitcoin with wife’s help gets 5-year sentence

I believe the sentence is lenient because of the plea deal they entered with the U.S. law enforcement authorities and the fact that most of the money was recovered. I don't know how to react to the sentencing, but i noticed that plea deals help people get off lightly, i guess the information they provide to law enforcement is very valuable and earns them a light sentence. Heather Morgan, Lichtenstein's wife is to be sentenced in Nov 18, that's today, but i cannot find any info on it yet.

Yesterday I wanted to write that if the hackers made a deal with the government, the timeline should be minimal.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-18/hacker-s-wife-razzlekhan-gets-18-months-for-money-laundering
‘Crocodile of Wall Street’ Gets 18 Months in Crypto Case
Heather Morgan helped hide Bitcoin from 2016 Bitfinex hack
Husband, who hacked exchange, got five years in prison

The woman who dubbed herself the “Crocodile of Wall Street” and “Razzlekhan” in rap videos was ordered to serve 18 months behind bars for helping her hacker husband launder cryptocurrency he stole from the Bitfinex exchange.

Heather Morgan, 34, was sentenced Monday in Washington federal court. Last week, her husband, Ilya Lichtenstein, got five years in prison for his role in the scheme, which stemmed from his 2016 hack of the exchange and the theft of Bitcoin currently worth billions of dollars. Both pleaded guilty last year.

[zasad@]

Bitfinex Hacker Ilya Lichtenstein Credits Trump’s First Step Act for Early Prison Release
https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2026/01/257071-bitfinex-hacker-ilya-lichtenstein-credits-trumps-first-step-act-for-early-prison-release/
"Ilya Lichtenstein, the individual who admitted to orchestrating the massive 2016 breach at cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex, has announced his impending early release from incarceration. In a recent post on X, Lichtenstein attributed his reduced sentence to the First Step Act, a 2018 criminal justice reform initiative signed into law by President Donald Trump.

This legislation seeks to overhaul the federal corrections framework by shortening certain penalties, broadening options for premature discharge, and emphasizing inmate rehabilitation programs."


https://x.com/cipherstein/status/2006939277230297536
"Thanks to President Trump's First Step Act, I have been released from prison early.
I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can.

To the supporters, thank you for everything.
To the haters, I look forward to proving you wrong."
___
Liechtenstein spent just over a year in prison