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Cryptocurrency hacking case judgment imposing a 10-month prison sentence

Cryptocurrency Hacking Complaint Representation – 10-Month Prison Sentence in KRW 156 Million Loss Case

Client Information
Individual / Victim
 
Case Details

The client had worked closely with the offender in operating a business and, due to their longstanding relationship of trust, had shared certain authentication information when necessary for business purposes.

The client later discovered that their mobile phone was missing and that a substantial amount of money had been transferred out of a bank account in the client’s name.

Further investigation revealed that the offender had repeatedly transferred funds from the client’s bank account, used those funds to purchase cryptocurrency, and then moved the virtual assets to wallets controlled by the offender.

During the investigation and trial, the total amount involved was determined to be KRW 156 million across eight transactions. The case also involved repeated unauthorized access to the client’s cryptocurrency exchange account and the taking of the client’s mobile phone.

Decent's Strategy
DECENT Law Firm represented the victim throughout the criminal complaint process. Rather than simply filing a complaint, we conducted a detailed analysis of the flow of funds and virtual assets from the client’s bank account through cryptocurrency exchanges, digital wallets, and an overseas exchange.

We first compared the client’s bank transfer records with the fiat deposit and withdrawal records and cryptocurrency transaction history from the relevant exchange. This allowed us to reconstruct how the client’s funds were used to purchase cryptocurrency.

We then analyzed wallet addresses and transaction hashes to trace the movement of the virtual assets across multiple wallets. We also obtained and reviewed exchange login IP records, account access data, and device information to help identify who had accessed the account at the time of the offenses, and submitted the relevant materials to the investigative authorities.

In addition, we organized CCTV footage, KakaoTalk messages, travel and location records, and other circumstantial evidence. After identifying that some of the virtual assets had been transferred to an overseas cryptocurrency exchange, we contacted the exchange, provided information regarding the criminal proceedings, and requested a freeze on the relevant account.

Once the case proceeded to trial, DECENT submitted written opinions on behalf of the victim detailing the circumstances of the offenses, the scale of the loss, the relationship of trust between the parties, the financial and emotional impact on the victim, and the victim’s request for strict punishment.
Outcome
"10-Month Prison Sentence"

The court found that the defendant had obtained a total financial benefit of KRW 156 million through eight transactions, repeatedly accessed the victim’s cryptocurrency exchange account without authorization, and took the victim’s mobile phone.


1. Reconstructing the Virtual Asset Flow Through Objective Transaction Records

The fact that money had disappeared from the client’s bank account alone was not sufficient to explain the full structure of the offenses.

DECENT reconstructed the flow from the client’s bank account to the cryptocurrency exchange, digital wallets, and overseas exchange by connecting transaction records, wallet addresses, and transaction hashes. This allowed the investigative authorities to understand the movement of the assets as a single, traceable sequence.


2. Identifying the Actual Account User Through IP and Device Records

Because the defendant denied the offenses, it was important not only to trace where the cryptocurrency moved but also to determine who had actually accessed the victim’s exchange account.

DECENT analyzed exchange login IP records, account access data, CCTV footage, and other circumstantial evidence. These materials were also used during the trial in determining the defendant’s involvement.


3. Responding to Transfers to an Overseas Cryptocurrency Exchange

During the tracing process, we identified circumstances indicating that some of the virtual assets had been transferred to an overseas cryptocurrency exchange.

DECENT contacted the exchange and requested that the relevant account be frozen. In virtual asset cases, funds can move rapidly through multiple wallets and offshore exchanges, making it important to preserve transaction records and take exchange-level action alongside the criminal complaint process.


4. Continuing Victim Representation Through the Trial Stage

Even after the investigation was completed, the victim had not fully recovered from the financial loss.

DECENT therefore continued to represent the victim during the trial and submitted written victim counsel opinions explaining the scale and circumstances of the offenses, the abuse of the parties’ relationship of trust, and the victim’s request for strict punishment.

The court ultimately imposed a 10-month prison sentence, taking into account factors including the repeated nature of the offenses, the use of the victim’s mobile phone and cryptocurrency exchange account, and the victim’s request for strict punishment.
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