U.S. federal justice accuses 12 hackers involved in the theft of over R$ 1.4 billion in internet activities, amounts subtracted from victims through cryptocurrencies.
With the new accusation involving Americans and foreigners, the justice system investigates the act of cyber extortion that culminated in the theft of US$ 263 million, between 2023 and March 2025.
While two remain in an unknown location, but probably Dubai, others are already imprisoned and in the possession of U.S. justice. The prisoners were in the State of California.
Justice accuses hackers of stealing cryptocurrencies through the Federal RICO Act
In September 2024, Malone Lam was the first arrested for investigations linked to the crime. However, he continued his hacker operation even behind bars, giving commands to those who were at large.
Thus, the new complaints against another 12 people replace the accusation against Lam, showing that there was a criminal organization behind the actions. Because of this, the hackers are being accused under the Federal RICO Act, which specializes in combating organized crime and individuals linked to it.
“According to the superseding indictment, the enterprise began no later than October 2023 and continued through March 2025. It grew out of friendships developed on online gaming platforms. Members of the company had different responsibilities. The various roles included database hackers, organizers, target identifiers, callers, money launderers, and residential burglars who targeted hardware virtual currency wallets,” said the U.S. justice system.
One victim alone in August 2024 lost 4,100 Bitcoins, equivalent to 230 million dollars.
In addition, the hackers flaunted a life of luxury with the fruit of their crimes, buying luxury vehicles and even renting mansions and nightclubs for US$ 500,000 per night.
Private jets, private security, among others, were also among the payments made with the stolen money.
Innocent still, but investigation shows that authorities have sophisticated the fight against crimes with cryptocurrencies
In the accusation phase by the justice system, the suspects should still be treated as innocent until the final judgment. If found guilty, they may receive a sentence for several crimes linked to the case.
The investigations had support from the FBI, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the public prosecutor’s office.
“An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” concluded the justice system.
The case shows that the hackers used several tools to anonymize their transactions. Cryptocurrency mixers, pass-through wallets, among other techniques employed, tried to distance any relationship between the criminals and the stolen money. Even so, the authorities identified several participants and the case can now earn them several years in prison.
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