Monitor this situation.

Unsubscribe anytime.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 45 sources · 3 days · First seen 4 days ago · Last updated 2 days ago

Malone Lam cryptocurrency theft case

Overview

Malone Lam, a 22-year-old Singaporean national residing in Miami, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to leading an international cryptocurrency theft and racketeering conspiracy. Between October 2023 and May 2025, Lam and his cybercrime network stole and laundered more than $245 million in digital assets, primarily Bitcoin, from high-net-worth individuals.

The group utilized sophisticated social engineering tactics, frequently impersonating support staff from major entities such as Google, Yahoo, Coinbase, and the Gemini exchange to manipulate victims into surrendering account access. In one significant incident in August 2024, the ring targeted a Washington, D.C. resident, stealing over 4,100 Bitcoin valued at approximately $230 million. The group also employed physical methods, including arranging home break-ins to seize hardware wallets.

Operating under various online aliases, including ‘Anne Hathaway’ and ‘King Greavy,’ Lam coordinated the selection of targets and managed the various roles within the enterprise. The conspirators reportedly formed initial connections through online gaming platforms like Minecraft. Lam used the stolen funds to finance an extravagant lifestyle, including the purchase of luxury sports cars valued up to $3.8 million, high-end watches, real estate in Miami, the Hamptons, and Los Angeles, and the use of private jets.

Lam faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. A status hearing is scheduled for December 8, 2026.

Entities

Google · FBI · U.S. Department of Justice · Gemini · Malone Lam

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

"The operation ran from at least October 2023 through May 2025." bitcoinethereumnews.com · www.theregister.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · cryptobriefing.com · townhall.com

vs

"Malone Lam pleaded guilty to a RICO conspiracy charge in a Washington federal court." bitcoinethereumnews.com · livecoins.com.br · www.parismatch.com · www.theregister.com · www.folkets.dk · +5 more

The operation cannot have run through May 2025 if Malone Lam has already pleaded guilty in a federal court.

[DISPUTED] Malone Lam pleaded guilty to a RICO conspiracy charge in a Washington federal court. bitcoinethereumnews.com · livecoins.com.br · www.parismatch.com · www.theregister.com · www.folkets.dk · +5 more
[DISPUTED] The operation ran from at least October 2023 through May 2025. bitcoinethereumnews.com · www.theregister.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · cryptobriefing.com · townhall.com
[● 11 SOURCES] The criminal enterprise stole and laundered more than $245 million in cryptocurrency. bitcoinethereumnews.com · livecoins.com.br · www.parismatch.com · www.theregister.com · www.folkets.dk · +5 more
[● 11 SOURCES] One victim in Washington, D.C., lost more than 4,100 Bitcoin, valued at over $230 million at the time of theft. bitcoinethereumnews.com · www.parismatch.com · www.folkets.dk · 2001online.com · livecoins.com.br · +5 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The group used social engineering by impersonating representatives from Google, Gemini, and other platforms. livecoins.com.br · www.parismatch.com · www.theregister.com · www.folkets.dk · bitcoinethereumnews.com · +5 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Stolen funds were used to purchase luxury items including private jets, exotic cars, and high-end watches. bitcoinethereumnews.com · livecoins.com.br · www.theregister.com · www.folkets.dk · nationalcybersecurity.com · +3 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Malone Lam faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. www.parismatch.com · www.theregister.com · www.folkets.dk · 2001online.com · cryptobriefing.com · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The group members met and formed relationships through online gaming platforms like Minecraft. www.theregister.com · bitcoinethereumnews.com · townhall.com

Timeline

2 days ago

[CRIME] 14 sources
Malone Lam pleads guilty to $245M cryptocurrency theft conspiracy
Malone Lam, a 22-year-old Singaporean, pleaded guilty to leading an international cybercrime ring that stole and laundered over $245 million in cryptocurrency using social engineering and home break-ins.
4 days ago

[CRIME] 33 sources
Malone Lam pleads guilty in $245M cryptocurrency theft case
Singaporean Malone Lam pleaded guilty to leading a racketeering conspiracy that stole over $245 million in Bitcoin through social engineering and laundering schemes.

Sources

2001online.com · ambcrypto.com · anglophone-direct.com · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · bangordailynews.com · bitcoinethereumnews.com · blocktempo.com · coinedition.com · crypto.news · cryptobriefing.com · cryptopolitan.com · detlionblood32.wordpress.com · diario.mx · eldiariodechihuahua.mx · ertnews.gr · financiarul.ro · gamblingnews.com · geekweek.interia.pl · gzt.com · independent.co.uk · kenh14.vn · kibrisgazetesi.com · latestly.com · livecoins.com.br · myjoyonline.com · news.az · newsday.com · nwasianweekly.com · parismatch.com · phocapblockchain.net · rmf24.pl · saferworld.org.uk · scmp.com · sembra.com · sentinelcolorado.com · sigmalive.com · singtaousa.com · spacemoney.com.br · srnnews.com · therecord.media · theregister.com · townhall.com · triblive.com · tribtoday.com · turkgun.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history