FBI Seizes Over $2.4 Million in Bitcoin from Chaos Ransomware Member in Dallas

In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the FBI's Dallas office has seized over $2.4 million worth of Bitcoin from an alleged member of the Chaos ransomware group, known by the alias "Hors." On April 15, 2025, the agency confiscated 20.2891382 Bitcoins from a wallet connected to Hors, who is suspected of orchestrating multiple ransomware attacks across Texas and other U.S. regions.

Chaos ransomware, which emerged in February 2025 as a splinter faction from the BlackSuit gang, quickly gained notoriety for its sophisticated encryption methods and double extortion tactics. This ransomware infects various systems including Windows, Linux, ESXi, and NAS devices, marking encrypted files with a ".chaos" extension. Victims are pressured to contact attackers through Tor addresses, further complicating law enforcement efforts.

The successful seizure of these cryptocurrencies by the FBI underlines important limitations of using cryptocurrencies for criminal anonymity. Despite the inherent privacy of blockchain technology, investigative and legal measures, combined with advanced tracing tools, have made it possible to recover illicit assets.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Texas has filed a civil forfeiture complaint to claim these funds, representing a key step in dismantling ransomware networks and deterring future attacks.

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This case serves as a reminder of ongoing efforts to keep the crypto space safe and highlights the importance of choosing reputable platforms like Bitlet.app for transactions and investments.