In a remarkable fusion of law enforcement and data science, Australian police have successfully seized $5.9 million in cryptocurrency. The operation hinged on cracking a coded wallet backup—hidden in plain sight as a mysterious string of numbers on a suspect’s mobile phone.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed that the code was part of an encrypted cryptocurrency wallet. Unable to decipher it initially, authorities enlisted the help of a data scientist who decoded the string, unlocking access to the digital assets.
This case highlights the evolving tactics in cybercrime investigations, especially when it comes to tracing and accessing digital wallets tied to illegal activity.
A Digital Trail on a Mobile Device
The breakthrough came when authorities searched the suspect’s phone and uncovered a seemingly random numerical sequence. At first glance, it looked like gibberish—but deeper analysis revealed it was a cleverly hidden wallet recovery phrase, essential for accessing the funds.
Thanks to the skills of the data scientist involved, police were able to decrypt the sequence and recover the associated crypto. This kind of wallet backup—often composed of seed phrases or number strings—is typically used to restore access to crypto holdings stored offline or in non-custodial wallets.
UPDATE: Australian police cracked a coded wallet backup and seized $5.9M in crypto.
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) October 31, 2025
A data scientist deciphered a number sequence found on a phone, per the AFP. pic.twitter.com/vPI5zHTvnt
A Win for Crypto Law Enforcement
This successful seizure is a testament to the growing expertise of law enforcement in tackling crypto-related crimes. As criminals increasingly use sophisticated methods to hide their funds, agencies like the AFP are responding with high-tech tools and specialist personnel.
While the AFP did not disclose the exact cryptocurrencies recovered, the amount totaled AUD $9 million (approximately USD $5.9 million). Investigations are ongoing, and the case may lead to further arrests or asset recoveries.
This case underscores the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, where tech experts and police combine forces to fight financial crime in the digital age.