Young hacker brags about stealing $19 million and is exposed

Well-known blockchain investigator ZachXBT revealed the identity of an 18-year-old American suspected of involvement in a series of major cryptocurrency thefts totaling around $19 million.

Dritan Kapllani Jr. came to the attention of the crypto community after careless behavior on Discord. His name now appears in U.S. court documents as an alleged accomplice.

Accidental self-exposure in a voice chat

On April 23, 2026, during a Discord voice chat, participants were bragging about their crypto assets. Kapllani, attempting to show financial superiority, displayed his Exodus wallet on screen, which contained about $3.68 million.

That was enough for ZachXBT. The investigator traced the movement of funds and linked the displayed address to the theft of 185 bitcoins carried out on March 14, 2026. At the time, the stolen funds were worth approximately $13 million.

Already the day after the theft, around $5.3 million was transferred to the wallet Kapllani had shown in the chat. After that, the money began to be rapidly split and distributed across multiple addresses — a classic money-laundering pattern.

Links to other thefts

Analysis suggested that the same wallet was likely involved in additional thefts in 2025. Researchers estimated that these incidents involved at least another $5.85 million. In all cases, similar social engineering techniques were used, followed by the fragmentation of funds.

On May 11, 2026, Kapllani’s name indirectly appeared in court documents. In the indictment against Trenton Johnson, who is accused of organizing the theft of the same 185 BTC, a “Co-Conspirator No. 1” is mentioned. Members of the crypto community believe this refers to Dritan Kapllani Jr.

The case also involves crypto blogger yelotree, who is suspected of helping launder the stolen funds through a car rental business in Miami.

Luxury lifestyle and hacker connections

Until recently, Kapllani actively showcased a luxury lifestyle on social media. He maintained contacts with members of the hacker community. After turning 18, his past actions began attracting serious attention from law enforcement.

No formal charges have yet been filed against him, but he has already been officially listed as an alleged accomplice.

In brief

18-year-old Dritan Kapllani Jr. was exposed by blockchain investigator ZachXBT after he showed off a wallet containing $3.68 million in Discord. The wallet was linked to the theft of 185 BTC ($13 million) in March 2026 and other incidents in 2025. The total damage from the activities he is suspected of involvement in is estimated at around $19 million. He is listed in court documents as “Co-Conspirator No. 1.” The case is ongoing.