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Topic: List of Major Bitcoin Heists, Thefts, Hacks, Scams, and Losses - page 11. (Read 87577 times)

newbie
Activity: 56
Merit: 0
The stickers look shocking, we must protect their bitcoins, thank you for your great work.
full member
Activity: 224
Merit: 100
Spent a good hour reading through list and associated articles - Many thanks OP for compiling these events in bitcoin history
legendary
Activity: 1246
Merit: 1077
Along with the planned severity list upgrade, there has been some reexamination of past thefts and some associated re-evaluations based on information not available at the time.

  • Bitcoin7 released estimates of the amount it lost in 2013, which was below the previous rough estimate made by extrapolating orderbook volume, hence adjusting this theft downward in rankings.
  • Bitscalper released an estimate of the amount left outstanding, which was used for the initial list. This amount was found in re-examination to significantly understate the magnitude of the theft. A new lower bound has been prepared and may be adjusted further upwards in the future. This moves Bitscalper up in the rankings; however, it remains unranked by the current criteria.

Reanalysis is taking a while so I have only done to mid-2012 so far. The list is hence updated only until that time, which also means that the new severity list is incomplete. I will prioritize completing the reanalysis so the severity list can be completed.
hero member
Activity: 762
Merit: 500
very nice job OP..this kinda things drag bitcoin down..especially hacks..
sr. member
Activity: 275
Merit: 250
very usefull indeed
we all have to know about these!
legendary
Activity: 1246
Merit: 1077
You should also give the aproximate value in USD at the time those bitcoins were stolen. Because now they're obviously worth a lot, but back in 2011/2010, they weren't worth nearly as much as they are now...

I think he did do this no? He listed the value of it back then.

Yup, there is a section "List of events by USD equivalent of mBTC at time of theft" though with a note "NB: This section is outdated.".

That list used to be updated manually, which became too much of a burden. I have almost finished a script to do it for me, which saves a lot of time. I will get an updated list of events by USD up over this weekend.
newbie
Activity: 166
Merit: 0
One of the most useful posts on this forum. thanks you a lot. I'll keep them in mind
legendary
Activity: 1246
Merit: 1077
You forgot about Bitcoin to Cash:
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/bitcoin-to-cash-hacked-344143

100 BTC @ 800 USD/BTC =~~ $80k.

I think Labcoin could also be added (another scam by Alberto Armandi), but I haven't followed it closely, so have no idea how much money is missing (7500 BTC?).

Also, ActiveMining (10k BTC?) and maybe COG could be on the list.

You forgot about Bitcoin to Cash:
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/bitcoin-to-cash-hacked-344143

100 BTC @ 800 USD/BTC =~~ $80k.

I think Labcoin could also be added (another scam by Alberto Armandi), but I haven't followed it closely, so have no idea how much money is missing (7500 BTC?).

Also, ActiveMining (10k BTC?) and maybe COG could be on the list.

This and you forgot the bitdaytrade-scam (several thousand BTC), also run by alleged serial scammer Alberto Armandi (Carbonia, Italy (Sardinia); now possibly HK/China).

As a starting point:

labcoin:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1ncckq/labcoin_has_been_outed_as_a_scam_run_by_notorious/

bitdaytrade:
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/httpsbitdaytradecom-bitcoin-gold-commodities-margin-trading-88803
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/glbse-bdt-3-weekly-interest-bond-backed-by-bitdaytrade-93445



Thank you. I've put these on the new backlog.

Updating the lists is another priority. I should be able to finish that this weekend.
hero member
Activity: 633
Merit: 500
You should also give the aproximate value in USD at the time those bitcoins were stolen. Because now they're obviously worth a lot, but back in 2011/2010, they weren't worth nearly as much as they are now...

I think he did do this no? He listed the value of it back then.

Yup, there is a section "List of events by USD equivalent of mBTC at time of theft" though with a note "NB: This section is outdated.".
hero member
Activity: 601
Merit: 500
Vote 4fryn :)
You should also give the aproximate value in USD at the time those bitcoins were stolen. Because now they're obviously worth a lot, but back in 2011/2010, they weren't worth nearly as much as they are now...

I think he did do this no? He listed the value of it back then.
newbie
Activity: 7
Merit: 0
You should also give the aproximate value in USD at the time those bitcoins were stolen. Because now they're obviously worth a lot, but back in 2011/2010, they weren't worth nearly as much as they are now...
hero member
Activity: 633
Merit: 500
Thanks OP for creating and maintaining this list.
People could have avoided the loss in many cases if they don't store their bitcoin on sites.
full member
Activity: 224
Merit: 100
Very Interesting read. Opened my eyes a bit!
legendary
Activity: 1153
Merit: 1012
You forgot about Bitcoin to Cash:
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/bitcoin-to-cash-hacked-344143

100 BTC @ 800 USD/BTC =~~ $80k.

I think Labcoin could also be added (another scam by Alberto Armandi), but I haven't followed it closely, so have no idea how much money is missing (7500 BTC?).

Also, ActiveMining (10k BTC?) and maybe COG could be on the list.

This and you forgot the bitdaytrade-scam (several thousand BTC), also run by alleged serial scammer Alberto Armandi (Carbonia, Italy (Sardinia); now possibly HK/China).

As a starting point:

labcoin:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1ncckq/labcoin_has_been_outed_as_a_scam_run_by_notorious/

bitdaytrade:
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/httpsbitdaytradecom-bitcoin-gold-commodities-margin-trading-88803
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/glbse-bdt-3-weekly-interest-bond-backed-by-bitdaytrade-93445

full member
Activity: 221
Merit: 100
Incredible history you have compiled.  Many thanks for sharing.
legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 1722
You forgot about Bitcoin to Cash:
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/bitcoin-to-cash-hacked-344143

100 BTC @ 800 USD/BTC =~~ $80k.

I think Labcoin could also be added (another scam by Alberto Armandi), but I haven't followed it closely, so have no idea how much money is missing (7500 BTC?).

Also, ActiveMining (10k BTC?) and maybe COG could be on the list.
legendary
Activity: 1246
Merit: 1077
So, an update from the last thread:

  • Since the last thread was full, I moved everything to this new thread. Now 8 posts are reserved and if necessary I can consume this post.
  • I added the backlog of thefts that were delayed due partially to space limitations and mostly to my personal time limitations. Some are still missing because I need to research them more. They will be added in due time.
  • The rankings were originally done manually, which is becoming difficult as the list grows. Hence I have begun work on an automatic ranker. This should be finished soon, but given my propensity for delaying things, it probably will not be. In the coming weeks I will also move from June 2013 BTC to a more recent standard.

Thank you to those who kept me updated!

Things left on the backlog waiting for more research:
  • GBL
  • Bitclockers.com
  • Pony botnet
  • Cryptorush
  • Neo & Bee

(By the way: Feel free to reply now; the number of posts reserved is plenty.)

I am not sure a forum is the best place to display this much information, especially if you are going to update it with a ton more stuff. Although it is organized, it is cluttered in the limited format that you can post on here, IE buttons/links to other pages, or tabs for each year ETC.

For now, a forum post is good enough. The markup is written in an intermediate language though so it can be compiled to some other format if necessary in the future.
hero member
Activity: 700
Merit: 500
So, an update from the last thread:

  • Since the last thread was full, I moved everything to this new thread. Now 8 posts are reserved and if necessary I can consume this post.
  • I added the backlog of thefts that were delayed due partially to space limitations and mostly to my personal time limitations. Some are still missing because I need to research them more. They will be added in due time.
  • The rankings were originally done manually, which is becoming difficult as the list grows. Hence I have begun work on an automatic ranker. This should be finished soon, but given my propensity for delaying things, it probably will not be. In the coming weeks I will also move from June 2013 BTC to a more recent standard.

Thank you to those who kept me updated!

Things left on the backlog waiting for more research:
  • GBL
  • Bitclockers.com
  • Pony botnet
  • Cryptorush
  • Neo & Bee

(By the way: Feel free to reply now; the number of posts reserved is plenty.)

I am not sure a forum is the best place to display this much information, especially if you are going to update it with a ton more stuff. Although it is organized, it is cluttered in the limited format that you can post on here, IE buttons/links to other pages, or tabs for each year ETC.
legendary
Activity: 1246
Merit: 1077
So, an update from the last thread:

  • Since the last thread was full, I moved everything to this new thread. Now 8 posts are reserved and if necessary I can consume this post.
  • I added the backlog of thefts that were delayed due partially to space limitations and mostly to my personal time limitations. Some are still missing because I need to research them more. They will be added in due time.
  • The rankings were originally done manually, which is becoming difficult as the list grows. Hence I have begun work on an automatic ranker. This should be finished soon, but given my propensity for delaying things, it probably will not be. In the coming weeks I will also move from June 2013 BTC to a more recent standard.

Thank you to those who kept me updated!

Things left on the backlog waiting for more research:
  • GBL
  • Bitclockers.com
  • Pony botnet
  • Cryptorush
  • Neo & Bee

(By the way: Feel free to reply now; the number of posts reserved is plenty.)
legendary
Activity: 1246
Merit: 1077
Thefts not included
Some thefts in Bitcoin's history, although severe and damaging to Bitcoin users, did not involve the theft of over one thousand bitcoins. These thefts are listed below.
  • World Bitcoin Exchange, due to fraudulent activity, stole over 5000 BTC worth at the time in AUD. The total amount stolen was 25779.49 AUD. More information: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.923845
  • Tradehill was repeatedly hassled by Dwolla, and eventually dropped support after being scammed off 17000 USD. Later fraudulent transactions ended up costing the exchange even more, and after the March 2012 Linode Hacks they shut down, citing 100000 USD stolen or scammed through fraud.

Minor but notable thefts
Other thefts are minor, but are unique in some manner (for example, interesting methods or a first of its kind).
Other thefts outside the scope of this list
Too small
The thefts below, based on all available estimates, are absolutely below the requisite margin and cannot be included on this list.

Borderline theft
The thefts below are near the requisite margin for the time that it took place, but all or practically all reasonable estimates put it below. New estimates may move these thefts to the main list.
  • Pony Botnet [98]
    While it is conceivable that it has continued to steal digital currency, the amount given in the article is stated as an upper bound, and also includes unrelated digital currencies. Best estimates place amount stolen at 450 BTC.

On watch
This section is reserved for possible thefts and scams that bear mentioning. It is not an endorsement, and the presence on this list does not imply a scam.

  • Everydice, which currently does not meet the lower bound, may reach it if the site owners disappear.[99]

References & Footnotes

Credits
Thanks to the following who generously wrote commentary:
  • Jennifer Pippin (Linode Hacks)

Thanks to the following who suggested or clarified incidents:
  • Stephen Gornick
  • Patrick Harnett
  • Chris Moore
  • Paul Mumby
  • Blitz @BitcoinTalk
  • cypherdoc @BitcoinTalk
  • freedomno1 @BitcoinTalk
  • LoweryCBS @BitcoinTalk
  • lunarboy @BitcoinTalk
  • malevolent @BitcoinTalk
  • pankkake @BitcoinTalk
  • repentance @BitcoinTalk
  • rudrigorc2 @BitcoinTalk
  • Shermo @BitcoinTalk
  • timegrinder @BitcoinTalk
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