Netflix has expressed interest in producing a new documentary series based on the couple who, allegedly, laundered billions of dollars worth of stolen bitcoin from the infamous Bitfinex hack in 2016. The streaming company said that it has already made an order for the series, which will be based on the married couple and their scheme to profit from one of the biggest financial crimes in history.
The Department of Justice arrested Ilya Lichtenstein and his wife, aspiring rapper Heather Morgan last week. The agency confiscated 94,636 bitcoins worth more than $3.6 billion based on the prices during the arrest. As of today's prices, the confiscated bitcoins are now worth more than $4 billion.
The haul was believed to be part of the 119,754 bitcoins stolen from the cryptocurrency exchange by a yet-to-be-identified hacker or group of hackers. The DOJ has not yet revealed if Lichtenstein and his wife had participated in the hack or if they were only hired to launder the stolen bitcoins.
Netflix said it is planning to tap Chris Smith, the director of popular documentary shows such as "Tiger King" and "FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened," to head the new project. The company said it would also be hiring writer and producer Nick Bilton as executive producer of the new documentary series. Bilton had previously produced shows for Netflix such as "Fake Famous" and "The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley."
Lichtenstein and Morgan were arrested inside their New York City apartment on Feb. 8. They are now facing charges of conspiracy to launder stolen cryptocurrencies. Lichtenstein is a 34-year-old dual citizen of both Russia and the U.S. He describes himself as a tech entrepreneur and has founded a startup company called Mixrank.
Meanwhile, Morgan is an aspiring rapper who goes by her rap name "RazzleKahn." The 31-year-old rapper's videos online were widely criticized and mocked by internet users following her arrest.
According to the DOJ investigators, Lichtenstein and Morgan had used a complicated web of transactions to mask their identities when they attempted to cash out the stolen bitcoins. They, reportedly, used fake identities and fake accounts online as well as automated computer programs to initiate transactions such as deposits and withdrawals. They also used darknet markets and dozens of different cryptocurrency exchanges to move their bitcoins around to avoid suspicion.
Netflix has yet to announce when the new documentary series will air. It has also yet to reveal how many episodes the show will have or if Lichtenstein and Morgan have agreed to be filmed or be part of the show.
