An Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) combined federal probe has landed Yuga Labs security engineer in the middle of it. Sam Curry’s involvement in locating a Bitcoin phishing website towards the end of last year is at the heart of the inquiry.

Disclosing the Phishing Plan

Sam Curry came into a Bitcoin phishing website in December 2022, which set off a series of events that resulted in the investigation. Curry recorded the event on his X account, giving detailed information on the finding, in an attempt to expose this fraudulent enterprise and shield possible victims.

In a strange turn of events, the phisher who created the phishing website unintentionally revealed their Ethereum private key in the JavaScript code of the page. Curry decided to import this exposed private key into his MetaMask wallet out of a desire to look into this further. Finding out if there were any assets left in the compromised wallet was his aim.

A House IP Address Turns Into a Hint

Curry used his home IP address during this probe, a seemingly unremarkable detail that would eventually draw the attention of federal agents. He had no idea that this decision would ultimately result in a federal inquiry and his subpoena.

The inquiry that is currently taking on Sam Curry serves as a reminder of the intricate web of ethics and legality surrounding cryptocurrencies, wherein well-intentioned actions can occasionally have unanticipated results. The case presents significant issues regarding the accountability and duty of people who discover illegal activity in the cryptocurrency area as it develops.