Magical Traders

CHAPTER 7

AN HOUR EARLIER, elsewhere, exactly at the ID333 consortium's trading data center suddenly happened. The voltage dropped causing all computers to reboot.

They see it as common. The opportunity was actually used by IT workers to make coffee before continuing work.

While in the kitchen, they had talked about the price of bitcoin which might plummet. As IT personnel, secretly they are also active as traders utilizing data from the analysis team. Although there is no official ban, they are still vigilant that access from the analyst team is not restricted.

“Wait until the lowest price, after that we just bought,” one reminded.

“Remember, use your respective phones. Do not computer office,” said the head of IT worried if their actions known Mr. Joe, the consortium chairman.

“I've been in from earlier. Just wait,” said the others.

While being engrossed in conversation, the computer seems to be on and ready to be used again. One immediately made sure the trading robot software settings run smoothly.

Just wanting to start, that person was precisely confused. He saw the cursor arrow move itself on the computer screen. He thought there was damage to the mouse and immediately wanted to replace it with a new one.

But strangely, when the mouse cable is removed, the cursor arrow remains active on its own. It happens on other computers too.

He called his friends to come closer. They are witnesses when the cursor arrow runs itself opening a browser window to the website where they transact bitcoin. They do not believe when the username and password column can be filled alone.

Aware of the danger being threatened, they immediately shut down the computer by force. Unfortunately, one computer managed to transfer bitcoin to a storage wallet unknown to who the owner was.

Bizarrely. Starting when sending bitcoins, opening an email and confirming the delivery, everything runs automatically. That movement is very fast.

“Whataa…? Fifty of our bitcoins are gone?” said Mr. Joe from behind the phone screams when he gets a report from the head of IT.

***

Bitcoin theft complaints keep police busy. Cyber teams are moving to secure evidence and meet a number of witnesses.

The furore becomes more and more so when some companies and individuals also experience similar crimes. Including Dian Hartanto who still keeps his assets in the market of bitcoin trading exchanges.

He is confused that trading robots that have been set to make sales actions just suddenly do not work.

The event happened randomly. But it is known that the theft occurred since 23:00 WIB. That night also the news hunters were busy writing the event as a big crime. Millions of bitcoins are lost without being tracked.

Their news got warmer as foreign journalists also reported bitcoin theft in their respective regions.

Dian Hartanto called Dennis many times, but there was no answer.

***

In an apartment room, Dennis just woke up. Ambar's doctors tried repeatedly to get Dennis to talk, but nothing worked. He was just pacing around in his apartment like he was thinking about something.

Today, thousands of bitcoins are already in their storage wallets. He doesn't know who sent all the bitcoins.

Long Dennis pensively thought about the new events he experienced. Although suddenly rich, still he was afraid to use bitcoin that is not his. What if the police manage to track her whereabouts now?

“Can't Ambar's doctor be a witness?” think Dennis again. “But how to explain the laptop can work alone?” Dennis was confused. He was really scared.

Although he knew the IP and MAC address of his computer had been replaced, still the concern arose. What if behind the door of the apartment there is already a police officer watching him?

For him, there was no safest place to hide in cyberspace. As great as any crime committed will surely be sniffed as well. It's all about time.

He remembers the biggest hacking case of 2016. As many as 120 thousand bitcoins were lost from the Bitfinex market and only revealed in 2022.

While thinking, Dennis mapped out the many possibilities that could happen. One thing is clear, he did not dare to use bitcoin.

With the chain hopping method though, it was still terrifying. Ilya Lichtenstein and his wife Heather Morgan were arrested, but the chain hopping technique they used was very good.

If he were to report to the police now, there was no way they could believe it. They will examine the computer and find a digital trace that could be a tool of evidence to ensnare it as a perpetrator. It's the same as suicide.

“We have to go from here, doc,” said Dennis in a hurry.

“What's up, Dennis?”

“Let's explain. We have to go right now,” Dennis said with a little snapping. In his mind right now just want to stay away from the apartment without leaving a trace of the crime he did not do.

When forced, he slammed his laptop into disrepair. Doctor Ambar was confused to see the strangeness. He hugged Dennis and asked to stop.

“Let's just, Doc. It's for our safety. This laptop that hacks people's bitcoins,” Dennis's voice rises. Hearing that, doctor Ambar was immediately shocked. He was just aware of the conditions faced by Dennis.

“Why not tell from earlier. Then we have to go now,” take Ambar doctor.

Meanwhile Dennis was still trying to grab a laptop hard drive and put it in a backpack.

Aided by Ambar's doctor, Dennis immediately packed the necessary items, including wrapping a laptop carcass for them to throw away when outside later.

“Shortly, Doc,” Dennis precedes doctor Ambar. He stuck his ear to the door to make sure no one was out there.

Carefully, he opened the door, watching the outside right and left. After feeling safe, with a quick step he headed for the elevator to go down followed by Ambar doctor.

He had forgotten that this afternoon he was afraid to get into the elevator because of the earthquake he experienced. Right now he is just thinking about how to get away from the apartment quickly and safely.

When passing people, Dennis' heart was always pounding, but as much as possible he behaved naturally. When Ambar's doctor found out, without his consent, he grabbed Dennis by the wrist in a whisper.

“Do not be afraid, there I am here,” he said softly trying to calm down.

Meanwhile Dennis was only able to breathe a sigh of relief after arriving downstairs. He repeatedly turned his face back to make sure no one was stalking him.

“Wear my car alone,” doctor Ambar volunteered when Dennis pulled his car keys out of his pants pocket. Dennis can't think much anymore. He immediately followed Ambar's doctor to the parking lot.

Before leaving, he made sure again by looking at the parking room. After feeling completely safe, Dennis opened the car door and went inside. He really can't wait to get away from the apartment environment as soon as possible.