$60M Japan cryptocurrency heist suspects located in France, Germany

Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Hackers who robbed a Japanese cryptocurrency exchange in September may have infiltrated the site from locations in France and Germany.

Japan Digital Design, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, said the hackers who stole $60 million from Zaif were trying to send MonaCoin, a cryptocurrency, to a different account, when their Internet Protocol or IP addresses, were uncovered.

The IP addresses of the suspects were identified from Oct. 20-22, about a month after the cryptocurrency went missing from Zaif.

The hackers made five illicit transactions, and four out of the five transfers took place in France and only one took place at a German location.

Japanese police are investigating the cyberattacks with local authorities in Europe, according to multiple Japanese news reports.

Japan Digital Design worked with cybersecurity firms EL Plus and TokyoWestern to find the suspects' addresses.

JDD said this week past incidents of cyberattacks had produced no leads, but the latest case will make it easier to identify criminals and strengthen network security.

Cryptocurrency is gaining more acceptance in Japan, the world's third-largest economy.

Bloomberg reported Sunday energy consulting firm Remixpoint is collaborating with a local limousine company to allow passengers to use digital currencies for rides.

The rides will take place on a trial basis in Tokyo and the city's nearby airports, according to the report.