WazirX files FIR for $230-million hack in New Delhi

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Crypto exchange WazirX on August 6 said that based on its previous police complaint in connection to the $230-million cyberattack last month, a first information report (FIR) was filed at PS Special Cell, PS Lodhi Colony in New Delhi.

Founder and CEO Nischal Shetty added that the exchange had filed the complaint a day after the hack, that is on July 19, after losing nearly 45 percent of its holding crypto assets in the theft.

“Based on a complaint filed by us in connection with the Cyber attack on our multisig wallet, the police has taken cognizance of the matter and a FIR under BNS & IT Act has been registered on 5th August 2024 at PS Special Cell, PS Lodhi Colony, New Delhi through Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations, IFSO of Delhi Police,” the exchange said in a post on X.

The Mumbai-headquartered exchange added, “We have full faith in the investigating agency and shall cooperate with them to the fullest extent. We are actively working on recovering the stolen funds and are hopeful that those responsible will be brought to justice.”

Clarifying on the delay in filing of the FIR, Shetty said, “Now before conspiracy theorists come forward, let me clarify that we had filed a police complaint next day of the cyberattack and had already made the announcement to everyone that police complaint has been filed.”

He added, “It generally takes time for FIR after filing of the complaint. Just like all our customers, we too want the culprits of this theft to be caught and the funds recovered."

WazirX is currently in the midst of finding a solution to bail out customers and restart its operations, as the exchange has temporarily paused withdrawals and trading on its platform.

Nearly 33 percent of India's crypto users have accounts and hold balances on WazirX.