The Bitcoin use in Silk Road opened up the crypto industry to regulatory fights that tie digital assets with illegal activities such as funding wars, terrorism, and drug trade. The crypto market is full of risks, and among them are cybercrimes and fraud cases. Since their inception, the digital world has grown, and this has brought a rise in these illicit activities, among them being Silk Road’s 50,000 Bitcoin heist.
The notorious black market was once a hub of illegal services and products and used cryptocurrencies as a mode of payment. However, the platform fell into disarray after its shutdown in 2013 following the apprehension of its founder, Ross Ulbricht.
Regardless of the market ceasing to exist, the major question being asked is the unsolved 50,000 BTC missing from the platform’s escrow account. After years of critical investigation, law enforcement agencies have finally managed to apprehend the individual responsible for the heist.
Bitcoin and the Silk Road theft
Back in 2012, Silk Road was at its zenith as it facilitated anonymous transactions from all over the globe in a range of illegal activities. This included counterfeit documents and drug sales. The center of the operation was an escrow account containing 50,000 Bitcoin, which was used in securing transactions between the buyers and sellers.
This fortune was made in digital currency, and it became a target for hackers with nefarious intentions. With the current Bitcoin prices, the coins are worth approximately $1.5 billion.
According to reports, the heist took place in several stages as the perpetrator, tagged with the pseudonym “RedLace,” gained access to the Silk Road’s administrator’s account. The breach allowed them to manipulate its internal system, and this gave access to the coveted Bitcoins.
According to reports, James Zhong was the criminal mastermind behind the heist and was apprehended 2 years after the attack on Silk Road’s dark web supermarket. Zhong was a computer expert living a luxurious life. Back on March 13, 2019, Zhong called the police on a breaking incident that lost him 150 BTC worth $600,000 at the time.
James Zhong’s arrests
Zhong told the dispatcher, “I’m having a panic attack,” but turned down the offer of an ambulance. He tried to explain his situation, stating, “I’m an investor in Bitcoin, which is like an online thing.” The next flow of events led to his capture and the near end of a long manhunt trying to solve one of the biggest crypto heists of all time.
Being their first crypto case, the police were unfamiliar with the matter, and Zhong sought professional help from private investigator Robin Martineli. Agents from the Internet Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit were still on the 2012 Silk Road theft.
Additionally, Chainalysis, a Blockchain analytics company, discovered a transfer mistake Zhong made, and this led to the discovery of his involvement in the Silk Road’s BTC heist.
According to CNBC, Zhong transferred crypto worth $800 in accordance with the established banking rules, including the know your customer process. This required the real names and addresses of account holders. The account was registered to Jimmy Zhong. The transaction took place in late September 2019, six months after his call to 911 about his house break-in.
Zhong’s investigation was covered by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and IRS. The investigation proceedings led to the acquisition of enough evidence that led to his arrest.
Zhong opened up to the agents behind the investigation and it was at this time they found $60 million to $70 million worth of BTC that led them to believe his involvement in the Silk Road’s theft. His defense was that he had gotten into Bitcoin during its early launch stages and accumulated his wealth.
This was untrue. Days later, officers raided his house and found a popcorn tin that hid a computer holding BTC worth millions, including other precious metals and physical Bitcoin.
Zhong was convicted and is now serving a 1-year sentence at the Alabama Montgomery federal prison camp. Since the owners haven’t claimed the assets, the US authorities have decided to sell the assets.
