A 22-year-old man from Singapore pleaded guilty on Sept. 8 in federal court in Washington, D.C., to participating in a racketeering conspiracy tied to a large-scale crypto theft and laundering scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Prosecutors alleged that he organized and led an international cybercrime group between October 2023 and May 2025, using social engineering tactics to steal and launder more than $245 million in cryptocurrency. One incident cited by prosecutors took place in August 2024, when the group allegedly impersonated Google and Gemini exchange personnel and defrauded a Washington, D.C., victim of more than 4,100 BTC. Prosecutors said the stolen funds were spent on luxury items including high-end cars, watches, homes and private aircraft. The case involves 18 defendants in total, and the Singaporean man is the 11th to plead guilty. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and the court has scheduled a status hearing for Dec. 8.
A 22-year-old Singaporean man pleaded guilty on Sept. 8 in federal district court in Washington, D.C., to participating in a racketeering conspiracy, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Prosecutors alleged that he organized and led an international cybercrime group from October 2023 to May 2025. The group is accused of using social engineering methods to steal and launder more than $245 million in cryptocurrency.
According to prosecutors, the group impersonated Google and Gemini exchange personnel in August 2024 and tricked a victim in Washington, D.C., into handing over more than 4,100 BTC.
Prosecutors also said the man acted as the leader of the criminal group, using multiple online aliases to coordinate roles and direct operations. Investigators alleged that victims were induced to provide account access and security codes, allowing the group to move assets. The stolen funds were then used to buy luxury cars, expensive watches, high-end homes and private aircraft.
The case includes 18 defendants, and the Singaporean man is the 11th person to plead guilty. He faces up to 20 years in prison. A status hearing has been set for Dec. 8.
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