its called trying to create a paper trail to make the "supposed" hack seem like a real thing. by showing that there is a possibility that there are people that know about the hack.

they dont have to prove who is now holding the funds or how they were obtained. but by making a basic paper trail that corresponds to the story that it was hacked and people are trying to find the funds. then it can be used to validate a legitimate bankruptcy claim when the funds are not found. and also simultaniously used to say he is pennyless to avoid large dicorve settlement with his ex-wife.

IF its an inside job, then by handing back a percentage of the coins the insider can avoid jailtime and still be $700k better off by keeping the reward, which would be great timing for bigvern. to suddenly become liquid again professionally (the coins are returned) and personally keeping the reward, after his divorce agreement is settled.

in short its a win win. the 'supposed' loss of liquidity was perfectly timed for his divorce. and he can either file bankruptcy by not having the funds return, leaving him scot free of law and his ex-wife. or he can now let the funds return and go back to business scot free of his ex-wife

in short IF insider job. keep $5.3mill and always be looking over shoulder for rest of life, not only by ex-wife investigating but also authorities and customers. or return $4.5m keep $700k and be at peace. settle all debates/debts with authorities, ex-wife and customers