on 64 bit linux the error is like this:
iptables: Unknown error 18446744073709551615
You should increase maximum possible value for –hitcount parameter (20 by default) by setting ipt_recent module option ip_pkt_list_tot.
For example:
# cat /etc/modprobe.d/ipt.conf options ipt_recent ip_pkt_list_tot=200
Then reload module ipt_recent.