ZachXBT, a blockchain detective, successfully reclaimed a large portion of the funds from a DeGods NFT that was stolen during a phishing attack in May 2023. On February 24, ZachXBT announced to his over half a million followers the results of his extensive nine-month investigation, leading to the recovery and return of the funds to the original NFT owner.
Recovery Mission Success
The stolen NFT, DeGods #3251, fetched a price of 99 Ethereum, equivalent to around $177,000 at the time of the sale. Upon realizing the victim’s wallet was compromised, ZachXBT was contacted for his expertise in recapturing the stolen digital asset.
ZachXBT’s investigation techniques involve tracing the complex paths of illicit transactions, including tracking funds through cryptocurrency mixers. He often illustrates these paths through simple diagrams to educate his audience on the mechanics of phishing scams. ZachXBT expressed his satisfaction in sharing the successful recovery stories with his followers.
Impact Beyond Recovery
In addition to announcing the return of the stolen funds, ZachXBT also shared his intention to continue offering his blockchain investigative services for free. This disclosure comes after receiving frustrated responses from some users who did not fully understand that his recovery assistance comes at no cost, even though he cannot guarantee recovery in all cases.
ZachXBT’s contributions extend to assisting in crypto-related criminal cases for individuals and law enforcement agencies. His findings were instrumental in a French investigation that led to the apprehension of fraudsters responsible for an NFT scam worth $2.5 million. French authorities praised ZachXBT’s research on social media, which played a crucial role in their successful sting operation.