Investigations | March 19, 2024

Crystal helps AQ Forensics solve major crypto case

by Conrad Eliott

Writer

AQ Forensics specializes in investigative services related to military intelligence, counterespionage, artificial intelligence, blockchain analysis, and financial crime. It was founded by Albert Quehenberger in 2023. Albert had previously served in the Austrian Armed Forces’ infantry and cavalry before heading a two-year research project on crypto and blockchain intelligence while still in the armed forces. After leaving the military in 2018, he worked in several crypto forensic investigation roles before founding AQ Forensics.  

His achievements include: 

  • First Austrian company of its kind to get certified as a crypto forensic expert in the US  
  • €800,000 in stolen assets recovered in a single operation  
  • 660 cases of crypto crime investigated by Albert in three years.  

AQ Forensics’s top investigative challenges 

Albert was looking for a scalable and flexible tool to handle difficult crypto investigations. After trying various tools available in the market, he realized that some of them made lofty claims but failed to deliver the desired results.  

On the other hand, some tools were still in the development phase and not capable enough to meet his requirements.  

Additionally, Albert found that these tools were often challenging to operate. 

Why did he choose Crystal? 

  • Open and welcoming attitude of Crystal’s team  
  • Crystal’s highly accurate database   
  • User-friendly UX  

Albert discovered Crystal through internet research on blockchain analytics. He approached Crystal and was surprised and delighted by our same-day response. Crystal and AQ Forensics have been proud partners ever since.  

Albert immediately noticed the open and welcoming attitude of Crystal’s team. Crystal worked closely with Albert to develop the tool according to his specific requirements. 

He needed a trustworthy tool that could not only conduct risk assessments on e-Wallets but also extract transaction data and visualize findings in a user-friendly way. As well as this, Crystal’s solution offered a highly accurate database that supported both Alberts’s day-to-day operations and their larger-scale investigations.  

A case study of how Crystal helped AQ with a crypto investigation 

In mid-2023, a Swiss client approached AQ to investigate the theft of cryptocurrencies from a hacked e-wallet. Using Crystal tools, AQ reported the assets stolen and wrote a report on the matter. 

 In December 2023, a crypto trading business informed Albert that the stolen assets had appeared on its platform. Once the issue was explained to the platform’s compliance team and the police were called in, the assets were frozen, and returned to the client.  

How Crystal can help crypto investigators 

Crystal Expert helps you solve crypto-related crime with speed and accuracy. 

Detect and disrupt criminal activities fast and more effectively with our advanced blockchain intelligence, trusted data, and intuitive visualization canvas. 

To learn how Crystal can help you close more crypto investigations and more quickly, book a demo with our team of experts today. 

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