‘The biggest robbery of all time’ review: an entertaining documentary about an intriguing couple of perpetrators
Director:Chris Smith | Script: Chris Smith | Cast: Olivia Hansen (Heather Morgan), Alexander Bryan (Ilya Lichtenstein), Ky Fehlbaum (Agent Chris Janczewski), each | Playing time: 87 minutes | Year: 2024
The biggest robbery ever carried out tells how the most unlikely pair of perpetrators ever made off with a staggering amount of Bitcoin. From strange rap videos to hollow books as hiding places, these misfits fool everyone. What follows is an intriguing game of cat and mouse with a federal tax inspector. However, anyone expecting a documentary full of depth and extensive themes will be left with an empty stomach.
The biggest robbery ever carried out something explanatory begins: terms such as blockchain, cryptocurrencies and exchanges are analyzed. A little redundant for those familiar with the world of cryptocurrencies. And for those not interested, this introduction is a bit boring. Although it is a credit to the creators that they paint a contemporary and versatile image of cryptocurrencies. History shows, for example, how difficult it is today to launder this currency on a large scale.
An actor plays the federal tax inspector who tracks cryptocurrency theft. Ky Fehlbaum is excellently cast in this role. He himself has a background as a US Army officer and oozes credibility in his role. Think: impassive facial expressions and a dry narrative. It’s easy to believe that the real inspector is speaking here.
The investigation of the largest Bitcoin theft is the common thread. That game of cat and mouse keeps the momentum going. The inspector explains his approach in detail: from covert conversations to… dark net to expense tracking. Fans of the true crime genre will surely appreciate it. In addition, the documentary filmmaker still has some plot twists in store for the end. However, this documentary is not as compelling as that other true crime about an extremely charming con man. The Tinder Scammer.
Through images from social networks we can glimpse the pleasantly disturbed life of the perpetrator couple. Heather Morgan, with her bad rap videos, is an extremely rewarding character to play. His alter ego Razzlekhan, “like Genghis Khan but with more dynamism,” initially fooled investigators. Would criminals really dare to be the center of attention like this? As a speaker at events, she even hacks concepts like social engineering revealed. Even in his rap lyrics, a suspicious reference to cryptocurrencies sometimes appears.
Acquaintances also talk about the past and the unbridled life of luxury of the perpetrator couple. However, the duo are never truly penetrated. The viewer gets clues about the possible motives behind the biggest robbery ever carried out. But it remains to be guessed which of the two took the initiative. And what drove this couple to hack and steal a staggering amount of cryptocurrency?
In the end, a possible legal secret and a conspiracy theory also come into play. However, the latter is not adequately developed. It simply works as a means to raise some unanswered questions. Anyone expecting depth and lots of intrigue will be disappointed. But this documentary is a gripping story about the biggest Bitcoin fraud ever.
The biggest robbery ever carried out can be seen in netflix.