Israeli Authorities Arrest Hacker as Nomad Bridge Suspect Faces Extradition to US
By: Isha Das
In a notable breakthrough, Israeli authorities have apprehended an Israeli-Russian national accused of executing a significant crypto hack that led to nearly $190 million in damages. Alexander Gurevich, who allegedly exploited a vulnerability in the Nomad Bridge in August 2022, was arrested on May 1 at Ben-Gurion Airport. According to reports, Gurevich was caught while attempting to flee to Russia under a false identity after legally changing his name to "Alexander Block." He is now facing extradition to the United States on various charges related to crypto theft.
The arrest follows accusations that Gurevich withdrew approximately $2.89 million in digital assets from a US-based crypto platform, sparking a chain reaction of exploitation and further losses in the ecosystem. After the hack, Gurevich reportedly contacted Nomad's chief technology officer via encrypted messaging apps, confessed to his actions, and returned about $162,000. He then demanded a $500,000 reward for revealing how he identified the platform’s vulnerability. When offered a smaller reward consistent with industry norms, he severed communication and disappeared.
U.S. federal prosecutors have since filed an eight-count indictment against Gurevich in the Northern District of California, including charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and transportation of stolen property. If found guilty, Gurevich could face up to 20 years in prison. The case also highlighted the involvement of the FBI’s San Francisco field office, underscoring the international dimensions of cybersecurity and cybercrime within the cryptocurrency sector, which contributes to increasing scrutiny and regulatory initiatives.
Upon his re-entry into Israel during the Passover holiday, Gurevich was immediately mandated to appear for an extradition hearing. Ignoring the summons, he legally altered his identity in official records. Despite these efforts, a coordinated alertness by Israeli authorities, including the National Fraud Unit, led to his capture just moments before he could board a flight. His detention now underscores the international cooperation between law enforcement agencies and positions the case as a critical juncture in crypto security legislation and international law enforcement collaboration.
For more information on the implications and background of digital asset thefts and blockchain security, consider visiting official resources from institutions like INTERPOL and FBI.
For further details on blockchain vulnerabilities and security practices, please explore IBM Blockchain.
