Crypto Heist Suspect “Wiz” Arrested After $243 Million Theft

In a new development in the investigation of a massive $243 million cryptocurrency heist, one of the key suspects, Veer Chetal, known online as “Wiz,” has been apprehended by U.S. Marshals. This news was delivered via a tweet from blockchain investigator ZachXBT.

A Sophisticated Scam Unravels

To recap, back in September 2024, Hackread.com published a report detailing how hackers had planned a phishing operation by impersonating Google and Gemini support. They managed to trick a victim in Washington, D.C., into resetting their two-factor authentication, granting them access to a treasure trove of cryptocurrency.

The team of scammers, which included Chetal, along with individuals known as “Greavys” (Malone Iam) and “Box” (Jeandiel Serrano), then proceeded to siphon off a whopping $243 million.

ZachXBT’s Online Detective Work

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT played a crucial role in tracing the movement of the stolen funds. Their efforts provided a clear picture of how the hackers laundered the cryptocurrency (including a video of scammers celebrating the hack), using it to fund a lavish lifestyle of luxury cars, expensive watches, and high-end jewelry.

ZachXBT’s recent tweet, which shared Chetal’s mugshot, confirmed the arrest and is a big step forward in a case that’s drawn a lot of attention. Thanks to ZachXBT’s efforts, the public learned about Veer Chetal’s involvement in the early stages of the hack, where he gained access to the victim’s personal accounts.

Update: Wiz (Veer Chetal) was arrested by US Marshall’s and here is his mug shot. pic.twitter.com/O25UU25VhR

Lesson Learned?

While authorities are still investigating, the hack of the victim’s accounts is a reminder that no antivirus software, firewall, or ad blocker can fully protect you if you lack basic cybersecurity knowledge and don’t use common sense when dealing with online threats.

Take the time to educate yourself about phishing scams, and remember never to trust anyone online who claims to be from a reputable company asking for your account details or trying to trick you into resetting your 2FA. Stay alert and think twice before sharing sensitive information.