The U.S. Department of Justice charged 12 individuals with organizing and participating in a criminal group, causing damages exceeding $263 million. The individuals involved are linked to Meloun Lem, who stole over 4100 BTC from a client of the Genesis platform.
The story of Meloun Lem and the role of ZachXBT
This incident occurred on August 18, 2024. Lem and his associate, Jandiel Serrano, using social engineering methods, tricked one of the users of the Genesis platform into giving them over 4100 BTC (at that time about $230 million).
Lem and Serrano posed as Google support staff. They deceitfully gained access to keys, logins, and passwords, then withdrew all the crypto assets. Notably, one of the criminals recorded the events live.
Cryptodetective under the pseudonym ZachXBT helped apprehend them by recording anomalous activity on one of the crypto exchanges. He contacted the victim, who then hired him to track down the criminals.
In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Lem. He is set to stand trial on October 6, 2025.
Other members of the group
According to the Ministry of Justice, this criminal group emerged in the fall of 2023. The participants met on online gaming platforms. Each had a clearly defined role. Some hacked systems, others called victims and engaged in thefts, while others laundered the obtained funds, mostly through mixers.
The group operated both in the U.S. 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 the time, continued to manage and participate in the crimes.
The gang's fleet included 28 exotic cars. They rented houses in Miami and Los Angeles, took flights on private jets, and purchased expensive clothing and accessories.
Law enforcement managed to apprehend several individuals involved in the case. At least two, according to the agency, are abroad, in Dubai.
