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Singapore man pleads guilty to orchestrating $240 million bitcoin theft from DC resident
Prosecutors say the scheme stole more than 4,100 Bitcoin and funded a luxury spending spree that included cars, watches and private jets.
On Tuesday, Malone Lam, a 22-year-old Singaporean, pleaded guilty to a RICO conspiracy in Washington for leading a scheme that stole more than $245 million in Bitcoin.
Prosecutors allege the enterprise began on online gaming platforms, where conspirators used social engineering to pose as representatives of Google and Gemini, gaining access to victims' cryptocurrency wallets.
The group funded a lavish lifestyle purchasing more than 30 vehicles, private jets, and a $2 million watch, while running up nightclub bills of up to $500,000 per night in Los Angeles.
As the 11th of 18 defendants to plead guilty, Lam faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while the Court continues proceedings against the remaining seven defendants.
With a status hearing scheduled for December 8, 2026, Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated, "If you build a cybercrime empire, we will find you, dismantle your operation, and hold you accountable.