Malone Lam Pleads Guilty to Leading a $245 Million Cryptocurrency Theft Conspiracy
Malone Lam, a 22-year-old Singaporean citizen and Miami resident, pleaded guilty to a federal racketeering conspiracy charge for leading an international cybercrime network. The operation, which began in October 2023 and continued through at least May 2025, utilized social engineering and home break-ins to steal over 4,100 Bitcoin from a Washington, D.C. resident in August 2024. The theft, valued at approximately $245 million, is one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts involving a single victim in U.S. history. Prosecutors stated that Lam and his co-conspirators used deception to gain access to the victim's Google Drive and security codes. The stolen funds were used to finance a lavish lifestyle for Lam, including the purchase of over 30 exotic cars, a $2 million watch, and luxury rentals in Miami and Los Angeles. Lam was arrested in Miami on September 18, 2025. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that the defendant led a network that preyed on victims through deception and stole hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.
Sources
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22-year-old pleads guilty in $240 million bitcoin heist, one of the largest in US history
CNN
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South Florida crypto kingpin pleads guilty in alleged $245M theft conspiracy
WPEC
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Man pleads guilty for ringleader role in $245 million cryptocurrency scam
FOX 5 DC
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Who is Malone Lam? Singaporean Fraudster Pleads Guilty to $245M Bitcoin Theft
Yahoo