I'm shocked people have posted information about Vern's Chinese business activities and he still hasn't been located.  It begs the question is anyone actually looking - it's only a matter of time. I have a feeling all the user data or a snapshot of it was backed up somewhere and will come out in time. Sure it was wiped from the server but no one is going to wipe it without a backup plan - a potential bargaining chip when eventually found.

As much as I hate to admit it I do feel sorry for Vern. I don't believe he has access to any of the stolen coins, it's no way to live as he would have known he couldn't touch that wallet after the fact. Bad situations turn good guys into bad guys. The business got to the stage it was because of Vern and his dedication, I'm positive if he could have prevented the hack he would have. It was a new territory of course there will be mistakes along the way. If Vern ever stumbles across this thread, some friendly advise:

Come forward, give the loyal users who supported you the respect they deserve and lift the burden of guilt from your shoulders and live free. You're a visionary - you should be proud of what you created. It wasn't your fault, you were one man with big visions. I think the community will understand and your redemption story will be one of greatness. We just want answers. And I'm sure you coming forward will help you sleep better at night and return to a life of peace. There's opportunity out there for you in a changing world, since Cryptsy was hacked the same has happened to countless other exchanges - the community understands - help the wounds of the past heal. 

~ A loyal Cryptsy user

Curious if anyone actually followed / heard or knew of this auction or it's contents before it happened? Feel free to chime in - I suspect some serious bad play here and don't see anyone kicking up a fuss about it or calling the person who won the auction for a wreckless giveaway, essentially self-promotion and destructive to every altcoin if one person holds the balance to a huge amount of any one coin.

I saw someone mention the drives were wiped that had user balances - is there any full proof of this or is it 'hear say'? 

@BitJohn - What are your thoughts about the giveaway of all 200+ wallets to random posters?
https://www.goldcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3789.0

Thousands of customers hurt, people left bankrupt and this guy thinks it's a good idea to do a 'giveaway' with other peoples money - to literally just make himself appear like a hero in attempt to promote his dead forum 'goldcointalk'.


I would be very curious to hear what you estimate the balance to be of each of the 200+ wallets he gave away before the exchange went down?  Based on coins listed in this document (see pg. 21 and exhibit B) http://cryptsyreceivership.com/v1/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CCF_000148.pdf
 
I think the giving away of these wallets in such a wreckless manor is the ultimate insult to every Cryptsy customer. A case were someone literally acquired tens of millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency for $49,500 and gave it away. Do you know if ex-cryptsy employees were notified about this sale or was it done in the shadows? 

Something smells terribly wrong.