The mastermind behind the $240 million BTC theft case, Malone Lam, is scheduled to appear at a plea agreement hearing this Tuesday.

BlockBeats News, September 7 - In August 2024, a young crypto fraud ring stole over 4,100 BTC, valued at more than $240 million at the time, through a "social engineering" attack. After the heist, the group members quickly indulged in lavish spending, including purchasing sports cars, renting luxury mansions, flying on private jets, and hiring security personnel. Malone Lam, the 22-year-old Singaporean man identified as the alleged mastermind, reportedly spent over $569,000 in a single night at a Los Angeles nightclub.

The investigation revealed that the suspects posed as Google and crypto exchange Gemini staff to trick the victim into granting access to their Google Drive and providing security verification codes, thereby transferring away their Bitcoin. They subsequently moved the funds through multiple exchanges and money laundering intermediaries.

The extravagant lifestyle eventually drew the attention of law enforcement. One suspect exposed his IP address while attempting to hide nearly $30 million in stolen crypto assets, leading police to trace him to a rented luxury mansion in California. Another suspect was found in possession of $37 million worth of stolen crypto assets. Lam is accused of using the stolen funds to purchase $2 million worth of watches and over 30 Porsches, Lamborghinis, and Ferraris.

Currently, 18 defendants have been indicted, and Lam is expected to appear at a plea agreement hearing this Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Justice has already issued sentences for several accomplices, and the related cases are still progressing.