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DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS

Suji Yan is a prominent entrepreneur and advocate for decentralized technologies and digital privacy. As the founder and CEO of Mask Network, he is best known for pioneering the integration of Web3 features into Web2 social platforms, allowing users to interact with decentralized applications, encrypt messages, and manage assets—all from within familiar interfaces like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

Born in China, Suji Yan studied Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and briefly attended the University of Tokyo before dropping out to pursue entrepreneurship in 2017. Before founding his company, he worked as an independent journalist for outlets such as Caixin and Qdaily, where he developed a deep interest in AI, cryptocurrencies, and digital freedom.

Suji is a frequent speaker at blockchain and privacy-focused events, sharing his views on digital sovereignty, decentralized governance, and the importance of user-controlled systems. He envisions Mask as the "bridge" between the closed ecosystems of Web2 and the open potential of Web3, much like how DeFi disrupted traditional finance.

In 2022, Suji founded Bonfire Union, a venture capital initiative supporting underestimated founders in the Web3 space. He has also donated to institutions such as UIUC and RadicalxChange, supporting research and civic dialogue. Alongside his wife Katt Gu, Suji co-launched the anti-996 campaign, advocating for healthier work-life balance in tech.

Suji has received numerous accolades, including the JASSO Scholarship and awards from Hackathons hosted by Google and Intel. His early projects range from operating systems and weather apps to decentralized tech experiments. Notably, he has invested in or partnered with over a dozen Web3 ventures, including Soul Wallet, Transak, and 0xPPL.

Today, Suji leads Mask Network and serves as a board member at RSS3, continuing to expand the decentralized social internet. With a focus on user empowerment, privacy, and open-source collaboration, he remains a key figure in shaping the future of online interaction and digital identity.

Suji Yan was managing a large $4m+ wallet via his mobile phone.

Yuji San believes that there may have been an in-person attack on their mobile wallet, when they left their phone unattended during their birthday party.

Widely reported at $4m.

Assets reported by Cyvers: "113 $ETH 923 $WETH 301 $ezETH 156 $weETH 90 $pufET 48.4K $MASK 50K $USDT 15 $swETH"

113 $ETH 113 2,237.91 252883.83 923 $WETH 923 2,237.91 2065590.93 301 $ezETH 301 2,237.91 673610.91 156 $weETH 156 2,237.91 349113.96 90 $pufETH 90 2,237.91 201411.9 48.4K $MASK 48400 2.2169 107297.96 50K $USDT 50000 1 50000 15 $swETH 15 2,237.91 33568.65 3733478.14

Yuji San posted a summary of the event on Twitter:

"I turned 29 yrs old today, 6 hours ago. Around 3 hours ago - one of my public wallet I carried on my phone was hacked and 4m$+ assets was stolen. All the stolen tx seems manual and span 11+ mins.

So either the private key was leaked same day as my birthday and hacker manual tsf out or it might be an offline attack. I was in a private gathering with dozen friends and my phone was away for some minutes when I using the restroom etc. I trust my friends but this is a nightmare to anyone.

I’ve contacted @SlowMist_Team and @zachxbt to help the investigation and in cooperation with authorities and agencies. Before there are any outcome from these experts I will not say more.

I hope if this is the offline case - you should confront me directly. Crypto is not a dark forest and I will not let it be."

It does not appear that there is any update.

It is believed that the funds were not recovered.

Explore This Case Further On Our Wiki

Suji Yan, founder and CEO of Mask Network, is a leading voice in the Web3 space. With a background in journalism and computer engineering, Suji has been a vocal advocate for privacy, digital sovereignty, and user empowerment. In 2022, he also launched Bonfire Union, a venture fund supporting overlooked founders in the decentralized tech ecosystem. On his 29th birthday, Suji reported a security breach where over $4 million in crypto assets were stolen from a wallet he managed via mobile phone. He suspects an offline attack may have occurred when his phone was briefly unattended during a private gathering. Despite immediate coordination with security experts and blockchain investigators, the funds—spread across multiple tokens like ETH, WETH, MASK, and USDT—have not been recovered.

Founder of the Mask Network loses more than $4 million to a wallet hack - Web3IsGoingGreat (Apr 25)
Web3IsGoingGreat - "Founder of the Mask Wallet loses more than $4 million to a wallet hack" - Twitter/X (Apr 25)
Yuji San - "I turned 29 yrs old today, 6 hours ago. Around 3 hours ago - one of my public wallet I carried on my phone was hacked and 4m$+ assets was stolen. All the stolen tx seems manual and span 11+ mins." - Twitter/X (Apr 28)
Bridging Web2 and Web3: Suji Yan on Mask Network's Vision - Defiant YouTube (Apr 28)
Suji Yan - Founder of Mask Network & Privacy Advocate - PlasmaCon (Apr 28)
Suji Yan - People in crypto - IQ.wiki (Apr 28)
Suji Yan - Founder and CEO @ Mask Network - Crunchbase (Apr 28)
Wu Blockchain - "Wu said that according to the information on the chain, Mask Network founder Suji Yan sent a message to the hacker" - Twitter/X (Apr 28)
"There is an international effort between the FBI, Hong Kong police, Interpol, and private security operatives that has identified and is closing in on you, the perpetrator. You are fully doxxed and evidence of your actions is in our possession as well as our law enforcement partners." - EtherScan (Apr 28)
Suji Yan - "Despite the recent personal hack, I’m glad to meet old friend governor Terry Branstad @TerryBranstad during eth Denver." - Twitter/X (Apr 28)
Yuji San Hack Announcement In Chinese - Twitter/X (Apr 28)
Yuji San - "When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it will first test his mind and will, exhaust his muscles and bones, starve his body, and deprive him of all poverty, and make his plans frustrated. This is to stimulate his heart and harden his nature, and increase his ability to do what he could not do before." - Twitter/X (Apr 28)
yujisan (Apr 28)
@suji_yan Twitter (Apr 28)
Cyvers Alerts - "Our AI-powered system has detected suspicious transactions linked to @suji_yan, founder of @realMaskNetwork! A suspicious address received nearly $4M in digital assets" - Twitter/X (Apr 28)
@thefireflyapp Twitter (Apr 28)
@suji_yan Twitter (Apr 28)
@suji_yan Twitter (Apr 28)
@suji_yan Twitter (Apr 28)
@suji_yan Twitter (Apr 28)
@suji_yan Twitter (Apr 28)
@suji_yan Twitter (Apr 28)
Transfer Of 113.063816357204803291 ETH - EtherScan (Apr 28)
Transfer Of 923.817499554962882 WETH - EtherScan (Apr 28)

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