The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized nearly 25 Bitcoin, a waterfront mansion, and a Mercedes-Benz car, all alleged to be linked to a 2013 crypto exchange hack. The assets, totaling approximately 4.5 million AUD ($2.88 million), were forfeited by a Queensland man who has prior convictions for hacking and fraud. The investigation, which commenced in September 2018 following a tip from Luxembourg authorities, connected the individual to the theft of 950 Bitcoin. Although no criminal charges have been filed in relation to the Bitcoin theft, the AFP secured a court order to forfeit the assets as they could not be proven to be from legitimate earnings. The AFP Commander emphasized the importance of targeting crime proceeds, noting that asset sales will support community crime prevention initiatives. Since 2019, the AFP’s Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce has restrained over $1.2 billion in suspected crime-related assets.

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