Million-Dollar Scammers Caught Red-Handed in $240M Bitcoin Heist
In one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts in US history, a group of young men, led by Malone Lam, stole over $240 million worth of Bitcoin from a wealthy investor in August 2024. The heist was carried out through 'social engineering' tactics, where the scammers posed as Google and Gemini representatives to gain access to the victim's account.
Lam, 22, spent lavishly on sports cars, private jets, mansions, and security guards, while his friends Veer Chetal and Jeandiel Serrano laundered the stolen funds through various exchange platforms. The trio was eventually caught by authorities, with Lam being arrested at a Miami mansion after an off-duty police officer tipped him off.
Chetal, who had gifted a Lamborghini to his parents, was found to have $37 million in stolen crypto in his possession when FBI agents searched his apartment. Serrano initially denied involvement but later admitted to having around $20 million of the stolen funds.