- Alexander Gurevich, a dual Russian-Israeli national linked to the US$190M Nomad Bridge hack, was arrested in Israel while attempting to flee to Russia using a passport with a new surname.
- He allegedly stole nearly US$3M from the bridge, contacted Nomad’s CTO for ransom, and returned a small portion of the funds before vanishing.
- Israeli authorities believe Gurevich launched the attack from within Israel; he now faces extradition to the US to stand trial.
Ben‑Gurion Airport security detained Alexander Gurevich, 47, last Thursday as he boarded a flight to Russia on a passport issued under a new surname.
The dual Russian‑Israeli national is wanted in the United States for his role in the 2022 hack that almost wiped out a California blockchain firm. According to The Jerusalem Post, US prosecutors accuse him of computer intrusion, laundering millions, and moving stolen assets after demanding a US$500,000 (AU$769K) payout.
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Hours after siphoning US$2.89M (AU$4.45M) from Nomad’s cross‑chain bridge, Gurevich surfaced on Telegram under a false name and opened a chat with the project’s chief technology officer, James Prestwich. This is according to Yoav Itiel, an Israeli journalist who reports for Walla News.
Nomad Offered Hacker 10% Bounty for Stolen Assets
Gurevich allegedly admitted he had been “amateurishly” hunting for a protocol to exploit, apologised for “the trouble he caused Prestwich and his team”, and sent roughly US$162K (AU$249K) to Nomad’s recovery wallet.
As per Itiel:
Prestowich asked Gurevich to write his demand on Telegram, so that he could examine the demand with the competent authorities in Nomad and the next day replied Gurevich that Nomad was willing to pay him a sum of 10% of the total value of the assets he had stolen, and nothing more. Gurevich replied that he will consult with his lawyer, and since then he has not contacted the company again. The FBI office in San Francisco has opened an investigation.
Yoav Itiel, Israeli journalist
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A federal grand jury in the Northern District of California charged him on 16 August 2023 with eight counts, including money laundering—an offense that can carry up to 20 years. Washington filed a formal extradition request last December.
Israeli investigators believe he flew into the country just days before the US$190 million (AU$292.8 million) exploit, suggesting the attack was executed from Israeli soil.
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