US DOJ Charges Group in $240 Million Bitcoin Theft, Lead Defendant to Plead Guilty

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 18 individuals, including lead defendant Malone Lam, for their involvement in a $240 million Bitcoin theft. The group allegedly used social engineering to impersonate staff from Google and Gemini, gaining access to a Washington resident's account and stealing over 4,100 BTC. The stolen funds were laundered through various exchanges and spent on luxury goods, including sports cars, mansions, and private jet services. Lam is scheduled for a plea hearing on Tuesday, with 10 other defendants having already pleaded guil