Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett revealed on Oct. 29 that one of the agency’s data scientists has successfully cracked password-protected crypto wallets on two occasions. In one instance, the unnamed “crypto safe cracker” recovered illicit digital assets worth $5.9 million.

Speaking at the National Press Club, Barrett said the AFP officers discovered one such wallet during a search of a well-connected alleged criminal’s home. Authorities believe the wallet contained proceeds from the sale of a “tech-type product” to criminal networks worldwide.

After the suspect—facing a potential 10-year prison sentence—refused to disclose the password, AFP tasked its scientists to find ways of unlocking the wallet.

“We knew if we couldn’t open the crypto wallet, and if the alleged offender was sentenced, upon release he would leave prison a multi-millionaire – all from the profits of organized crime,” Barrett explained.

To prevent that outcome, AFP’s “incredibly talented” data scientists analyzed the number sequences for clues. A breakthrough came when one scientist removed the first digit from each sequence, ultimately decoding a valid 24-word recovery seed phrase. In another case, the scientist used a different method that led to the recovery of $1.96 million in digital assets.

Barrett emphasized that the success highlights how human ingenuity can outperform raw computing power. The recovered crypto assets are currently restrained by the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce. However, if a court orders their forfeiture, they will be transferred to a Commonwealth account and later allocated by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to fund crime prevention initiatives.

• Where did AFP recover the crypto wallet? The wallet was found during a search of a high-profile suspect’s home in Australia.
• Why did AFP crack the wallet? The suspect refused to share the password, risking release with millions from crime profits.
• How was the wallet unlocked? AFP scientists decoded number sequences to reveal a 24-word recovery seed phrase.
• What happens to the recovered crypto? If forfeited by court, the funds go to a Commonwealth account for crime prevention programs.

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