The case of Meloun Lem, who stole over 4100 BTC with an accomplice, has continued.
Authorities found that even in prison, he continued to manage a whole gang.
The Department of Justice charged another 12 individuals.
The total damage from their actions amounts to over $263 million.
The U.S. Department of Justice charged 12 individuals with organizing and participating in a criminal formation, the damages from which exceed $263 million. The defendants are connected to Meloun Lem, who stole over 4100 BTC from one of the clients.
The story of Meloun Lem and the role of ZachXBT
This incident occurred on August 18, 2024. Lem and his associate, Jandiel Serrano, used social engineering methods to defraud over 4100 BTC (at that time about $230 million) from one of the platform's users.
Lem and Serrano posed as employees of Google support. They deceitfully gained access to keys, logins, and passwords, after which they withdrew all crypto assets. Notably, one of the criminals recorded the proceedings live.
They were aided in their arrest by a crypto detective under the pseudonym ZachXBT, who recorded anomalous activity on one of the crypto exchanges. He contacted the victim, who hired him to find the perpetrators.
In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Lem. He is set to appear in court on October 6, 2025.
Other members of the group
According to the Department of Justice, this criminal organization emerged in the fall of 2023. The participants met on online gaming platforms. Each performed a clearly assigned role. Some hacked systems, others called victims and committed thefts, while others laundered the obtained funds, mainly through mixers.
The group operated both within the United States and abroad. They spent the stolen funds on a lavish lifestyle. According to the agency, their checks at nightclubs reached up to $500,000. Meanwhile, Lem, who was in prison at that time, continued to manage and participate in the crimes.
The gang members' fleet included 28 exotic cars. They rented houses in Miami and Los Angeles, took flights on private jets, and bought expensive clothing and accessories.
Law enforcement managed to detain several defendants in the case. At least two are believed to be abroad, in Dubai.