Former Cybersecurity Engineer Indicted for $9 Million Crypto Theft from Decentralized Exchange.
In a major development, Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has just revealed that charges have been filed against a former cybersecurity expert accused of hacking into an international decentralized crypto exchange (DEX) and illicitly absconding with $9 million worth of digital assets.
The indicted individual, Shakeeb Ahmed, allegedly orchestrated the attack in July 2022 by exploiting a vulnerability in the Solana (SOL)-based DEX. At the time, Ahmed, a 34-year-old senior security engineer employed by a renowned global technology company, reportedly manipulated the platform’s smart contract by injecting fabricated pricing data. As a result, the contract generated a staggering $9 million in inflated fees.
Taking advantage of the situation, Ahmed converted the fees into various cryptocurrencies and went to great lengths to obfuscate the origin and ownership of the funds. Furthermore, he made attempts to evade prosecution, further complicating the investigation.
Following the unauthorized acquisition, Ahmed engaged in communication with the crypto exchange in which he proposed returning all the stolen funds, except for $1.5 million, on the condition that the exchange refrained from reporting the attack to law enforcement.
In the aftermath of the incident, Ahmed resorted to online searches to gather information about the attack itself, the potential legal consequences he might face, expert criminal defense attorneys specializing in similar cases, law enforcement’s capacity to successfully investigate the breach, and even the possibility of fleeing the United States to avoid criminal charges.
On Tuesday, Ahmed was apprehended in New York and now faces charges of wire fraud and money laundering. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years for each offense.
Williams emphasizes that these charges mark the first instance of criminal charges being brought in relation to an attack on a smart contract operated by a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange.
According to Williams, “The indictment alleges that Shakeeb Ahmed, a senior security engineer at an international technology company, utilized his knowledge and skills to defraud the exchange and its users, resulting in the theft of approximately $9 million in cryptocurrency.”
This alarming incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the crypto community in safeguarding digital assets against cyber threats and highlights the importance of comprehensive security measures in the ever-evolving landscape of decentralized finance.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments are subject to market risks, and individuals should seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.
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