Netflix’s new documentary,Biggest Heist Ever,explores the most controversial Bitcoin theft in history and what happened to the two convicts after their arrest. Directed by Chris Smith,the director of the pop culture documentary,Fyre, the documentary explores the crimes of husband and wife, Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morris, and how they conspired to commit bitcoin laundering.Biggest Heist Ever, which is the latest to joinNetflix’s growing catalog of true-crime documentaries, includes social media posts from the convicted couple as well as interviews from detectives and reporters connected to the case.
Since 2016, authorities have investigated the crimes ofIlya Lichtenstein and Heather Morris, who were dubbed by the media as the Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde, for their strong social media presence and how they stole $4.5 billion worth of bitcoin currency, all while living in the public eye. AsBiggest Heist Everreveals in shocking twists, the unlikely couple were initially able to get away with the biggest bitcoin heist in history, before they were finally apprehended by authorities.
Heather Morgan & Ilya Lichtenstein Were Arrested For Their Bitcoin Heist In 2022
Morgan & Lichtenstein Hacked Into Bitfinex In 2016
ThroughoutBiggest Heist Ever,investigators, reporters, and hacking victims discussthe 2016 hacking of the Bitcoin website, Bitfinex, where hackers stole around 120,000 bitcoin, which were worth $4.5 billion. Bitfinex’s Head of Communications, Sheel Kohli, stated that the hacking was “a devastating moment for this company”,while hack victim, Frankie Cavazos revealed it felt like “a gut punch” to find his bitcoin had been stolen. Brett Johnson, a previous cybercriminal, stated that the hackers “had access to Bitfinex’s servers for months” and “modified the backend code” to gain access to passwords.
Investigator, Chris Janczewski revealed that after an intense investigation,authorities were able to trace the theft to the AlphaBay accounts of Heather Morgan and Ilya Lichtenstein. Morgan was an aspiring rapper and Lichtenstein was the co-founder and former CEO of the company, Mixrank; inBiggest Heist Ever,it’s shown that hacking took place around the time Lichtenstein left Mixrank. Morgan’s college friend, Miguel Asuzano, revealed that Morgan told him that she and Lichtenstein “had been successful in their business” and were moving to New York. It was in Manhattan, New York that the couple were finally arrested for the bitcoin heist in 2022 (viaU.S. Department of Justice).
In 2024, Morgan Was Given An 18-Month Prison Sentence & Lichtenstein Was Given A 5-Year Prison Sentence
Both Morgan & Lichtenstein Pled Guilty To Money Laundering
As shown through interviews,the identity of the Bitfinex hackers came as a surprise to investigators and reporters;Vanity Faircorrespondent, Nick Bilton stated inBiggest Heist Ever,that upon examining Heather Morgan’s social media presence, he initially believed"there’s no way these two stole all that money".On social media, Morgan performed rap songs under the persona Razzlekhan; her songs' lyrics contained cryptic hints at the couple’s bitcoin laundering (viaThe Verge). Chris Jaczewski revealed that Morgan’s online posts were “a benefit” to the investigation as it gave them a chance to see things that “you otherwise would not get”.
Lichtenstein expressed remorse for his part in the laundering and a desire to work against cybercrime after his release.
In 2023,both Morgan and Lichtenstein pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and were given prison sentences in 2024; Morgan was sentenced to 18 months and Lichtenstein was given a 5-year sentence with credit for time served (viaNew York Post). Lichtenstein expressed remorse for his part in the laundering and a desire to work against cybercrime after his release (viaBBC). Netflix’sBiggest Heist Everoffers an interesting perspective into the couple’s actions and how they were able to commit the heist while hidden in plain sight.
Sources:US Department of Justice,The Verge,New York Post,BBC
Biggest Heist Ever
Biggest Heist Ever, directed by Chris Smith, is a documentary exploring the infamous individuals dubbed the Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde. The film delves into the unprecedented and bizarre events surrounding the most lucrative heist in history, revealing the complex web of cybercrime and fraud.
