Amazon MGM Studio Developing Movie Based on Life of Crypto Thief
Amazon MGM Studio is working on a film inspired by the true story of crypto thief Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan and her husband Ilya Lichtenstein. The couple was charged with conspiracy by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2022 for their involvement in a $4 billion heist and money laundering scheme.
Details of the Film Production
The movie, which is yet to be named, will be directed by Hannah Marks and co-produced by Lili Reinhart. Marks also wrote the script, taking inspiration from a New York Times article published in 2022. The production involves collaboration with Anonymous Content through the partnership with the publication.
An Amazon spokesperson declined to provide further details about the film or its release date.
The Storyline
The film follows the journey of Morgan and Lichtenstein, who confessed to hacking into the Bitfinex cryptocurrency exchange in 2016 after their arrest. They attempted to maintain digital anonymity by laundering stolen funds through complex cryptocurrency transactions.
The Legal Consequences
Morgan, previously known as rapper “Razzlekahn” and a Forbes contributor, faced a Washington, D.C. judge last summer and admitted to stealing 120,900 Bitcoin worth around $3.6 billion at the time. The couple agreed to forfeit their illicit gains but could potentially receive up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. In August 2023, the Justice Department announced that it had recovered an additional $475 million linked to the heist.
Morgan’s Disassociation from Cryptocurrency
Since her arrest, Morgan has disavowed any involvement with cryptocurrencies and NFTs. She stated that any crypto or NFT projects associated with her name are scams she does not endorse.
Disappearance of Razzlekhan NFTs
In February 2022, NFTs featuring Razzlekhan mysteriously vanished from the OpenSea marketplace. The missing NFTs were album covers for Morgan’s music videos under the name “Razzlekhan.”
Hot Take: Amazon MGM to Unveil Movie on Crypto Thief Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan’s Life
Amazon MGM Studio is set to release a film based on the true story of crypto thief Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan and her husband Ilya Lichtenstein. The movie will depict their involvement in a $4 billion heist and money laundering scheme, which led to their arrest and subsequent legal proceedings. Directed by Hannah Marks and co-produced by Lili Reinhart, the film draws inspiration from a New York Times article. While further details remain undisclosed, the production highlights the couple’s hacking of the Bitfinex cryptocurrency exchange and their attempts to maintain anonymity through cryptocurrency transactions. The film also explores Morgan’s disassociation from the crypto world following her arrest.