Some real-life stories can be more interesting than the fiction; that is the case of the hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin that disappeared in Russia. This case has nothing to envy to a program of detectives, cops, or gangsters; now that you have this and more. But to understand it, one must first go a few years ago.
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The beginning of a friendship dangerous
In 2011, Alexei Bilyuchenko, former manager of Information Technologies of a chain of stores of furniture, he met Alexander Vinnik, a specialist in electronic money transfers. Two met Online and soon discovered that they had the same passion for technology and digital currencies. At that time, took the decision to associate and create together an exchange of cryptocurrencies. Thus was born BTC-e, a platform that was to become the third largest in the world for the trading of Bitcoin. To the naked eye, BTC-e worked like any other exchange in Europe. The difference was that it did not ask for identification to your customers. This opened the door to not only have investors legitimate, but also criminals. Little by little, the house exchange became a potential platform for money laundering. But this feature is not only the noted criminals, but also the authorities. Shortly after they were investigating the platform, as it suspected that the funds of another exchange of Bitcoin, Mt Fox, could be there. In addition, they also believed that a hacking group famous in Russia, Fancy Bears, I could be using BTC-e. In 2017, when both were with their families to a holiday in Greece, it was the beginning of the end. There, authorities arrested Vinnik. When Bilyuchenko learned the news, he got rid of his computer and immediately returned to Russia.
The millionaire linked to the Kremlin
When Bilyuchenko came to Russia, did everything possible to recover what had been lost. And what better way to do that than by creating a new sharing platform called Wex. Although the FBI had taken control of BTC-e, Bilyuchenko still had the backup servers. Thanks to this and to Wex, was able to return some Bitcoin a few customers of BTC-e. However, with his former partner behind bars and then try to regain control of a platform now guarded by the FBI, Bilyuchenko decided that I needed more protection. It is here when we have to Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian multimillionaire, with strong links with the Kremlin and the orthodox church of the country. At first everything seemed to go well. However, Bilyuchenko told the police that for several months, Malofeyev he demanded to see the balances in cryptocurrencies of Wex. At this point it is pertinent to mention that Malofeyev is currently sanctioned in the united States and the European Union. They accuse him of alleged links with rebel fighters in the east of Ukraine.
The “members” of the Secret Service
In 2018, the situation became really serious. The spring of that year, Malofeyev introduced him to some men who claimed to be part of the Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB). After several discussions and long conversations about Wex, the agents asked him to transfer the funds of the platform to a “fund FSB”. After this experience, Bilyuchenko decided that it was best to cooperate with them. A few days later, transferred all of the funds of Wex to the direction that had been indicated. However, soon discovered that the money in Bitcoin that had been transferred, was not in the coffers. In that moment, he realized that he had been scammed. For the summer of 2018, the transactions in Wex had decreased dramatically. To the end of the year, had stopped completely. And the $ 450 million in cryptocurrencies that had the exchange gone.
What the story is real?
The customers of Wex were furious at the disappearance of his money. In fact, one of them filed a complaint with the police in the Russian region of Chuvashiya. For this reason, they quoted Bilyuchenko as a witness in the investigation. It is here when it told the fantastic story. But what Alexei Bilyuchenko is telling the truth? Still has not been proven if their statements are true or not, and there is much disbelief about it. For the time being, the old creator of Wex is in under surveillance and police protection, and has received several death threats. For its part, Malofeyev has denied having any relationship with Bilyuchenko or exchange of Bitcoin. The following two tabs change content below. I am a student of International Studies, interested in new technologies and their impact on the world. A true believer that tenacity is the foundation of success.