Only hours after a $1 million reward for information leading to the capture of the hacker responsible for a $196 million attack on Euler Financial was announced, some of the stolen money was transferred into the cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash. As a result of the attack, which used a flash loan on the Ethereum noncustodial lending protocol, several cryptocurrencies, including Dai, Dollar Coin, staked ETH, and wrapped Bitcoin, was stolen. According to a tweet from the blockchain analytics company PeckShield, the hacker transferred 1,000 ETH, or roughly $1.65 million, using the authorized mixer. The attacker’s address had already received a mail from Euler Laboratories alerting them about the bounty and promising amnesty if 90% of the money was returned within 24 hours. However, the hacker’s movement of funds indicates that this offer does not persuade them.
One message on the blockchain claimed that a group of 26 families from unemployed rural areas had lost a total of $1 million in the attack. Attack victims have been pleading for the recovery of their monies. One alleged victim also wrote a message, congratulating the hacker on their “great success” but pleading for assistance because they had deposited the money they “desperately needed” for a property. If we can’t afford our house, my wife will murder me. Can you assist me in any way? They wrote, “I don’t know what to tell my wife.
The hacker’s use of a crypto mixer is a well-known method for hiding the source of funds, probably making it more difficult for law enforcement to locate them. The blockchain trail might still hold some hints, and the incentive might tempt people to come forward with information. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of DeFi and the value of solid security measures.