{
  "id": "case-james-zhong-silkroad-theft",
  "slug": "us-v-zhong-silk-road-bitcoin-seizure",
  "title": "U.S. v. James Zhong (Silk Road 50,000 Bitcoin Theft)",
  "summary": "Historic seizure of over 50,676 Bitcoins ($3.36 billion at seizure) hidden in an underground floor safe and popcorn tin, stolen by James Zhong from the Silk Road darknet market in 2012 by triggering race conditions in the withdrawal logic.",
  "case_number": "1:22-cr-00594",
  "court": "U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York",
  "district": "S.D.N.Y.",
  "country": "United States",
  "opened_at": "2022-11-04",
  "status": "sentenced",
  "victim_sector": "Cryptocurrency, Darknet Markets",
  "victim_country": "United States",
  "loss_amount_usd": 3360000000,
  "loss_amount_note": "Largest cryptocurrency seizure in DOJ history at the time: 50,676 Bitcoins valued at $3.36 billion.",
  "first_seen_at": "2012-09-01T00:00:00Z",
  "last_updated_at": "2026-06-20T10:00:00Z",
  "actor_slug": "zhong-silkroad",
  "defendant_slugs": [
    "james-zhong"
  ],
  "cves": [],
  "techniques": [
    {
      "technique_id": "T1190",
      "evidence_excerpt": "Zhong registered accounts and rapidly executed simultaneous withdrawal requests within fractions of a second, causing the automated withdrawal daemon to pay out double balances.",
      "evidence_locator": "Information \u00b6 8, Page 4",
      "mapping_status": "reviewed",
      "mapped_by": "rule",
      "source_title": "Information: U.S. v. Zhong",
      "source_url": "https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-attorney-announces-historic-336-billion-cryptocurrency-seizure-and-conviction-connection",
      "technique_name": "Exploit Public-Facing Application",
      "tactic": "Initial Access"
    }
  ],
  "events": [
    {
      "event_type": "court_order",
      "event_date": "2021-11-09",
      "description": "IRS Criminal Investigation and federal agents execute search warrant at Zhong's Gainesville residence, seizing 50,491 Bitcoins."
    },
    {
      "event_type": "plea",
      "event_date": "2022-11-04",
      "description": "Zhong pleads guilty to wire fraud in Manhattan federal court."
    },
    {
      "event_type": "sentencing",
      "event_date": "2023-04-14",
      "description": "Sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison."
    }
  ]
}