US hacking victim ‘very anxious’ for Ireland to return their stolen Bitcoin

Irish authorities are struggling to identify exactly who owns $2 million worth of Bitcoin stolen by SIM-swappers in 2018.

Police seized the crypto in December, reports local news Irish Independent, but have so far found just four parties with a claim to it.

• A group of at least eight fraudsters known as The Community ran a SIM-swapping operation throughout 2018.
• Dublin court sentenced 21-year-old Conor Freeman to three years’ prison in 2019.
• Freeman avoided extradition to the US where he could’ve netted a 108-year sentence.

Ireland’s Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has now requested US authorities help figure out who else is missing their Bitcoin, and reportedly expects quick and “substantive” response.

US authorities are to withdraw their extradition request for Dublin computer hacker Conor Freeman (21), who stole over $2m in Bitcoin cryptocurrencies, a court has heard.

Freeman admits using his computer to steal the cryptocurrencies from his home. pic.twitter.com/HcANlFypNf

— Courts News Ireland (@courtsnewsIRL) July 17, 2020

[Read more: Europol just dismantled a $100M crypto hacking crew]

Until then, CAB will keep the funds their current form (Bitcoin). The case’s presiding judge acknowledged that presents a certain level of risk — presumably a reference to its volatile price.

The lawyer representing a victim already identified said their client was “very, very anxious” for Ireland to return their Bitcoin.