Minecraft-spawned crypto kingpin faces 20 years for $245 million heist — mastermind's role in hacking campaign fueled their supercar, bodyguards, and private jet habit
The ringleader of a cybercrime gang, which reportedly formed after meetups in Minecraft online, has plead guilty to a racketeering charge and now faces up to 20 years in jail.
A 22-year-old Singaporean man and Miami resident, Malone Lam, has pleaded guilty to racketeering charges related to leading a cybercrime gang. The gang, which reportedly formed after online meetups in Minecraft, is accused of stealing and laundering hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. Lam, along with 11 other members, operated the criminal group for around two years.
The court documents reveal that Lam played a significant role in targeting high-net-worth crypto holders, supporting social engineering operations, and leveraging technology to manipulate account access alerts. One major heist reportedly netted $245 million from a single victim. The gang's activities funded a lavish lifestyle, with members owning a fleet of 31 exotic cars worth between $100,000 and $3.8 million, frequenting expensive nightclubs, and renting luxurious homes in locations like Los Angeles, the Hamptons, and Miami.
Additionally, they enjoyed private jet travel and were protected by a team of security guards. Lam was arrested in September 2024, and sentencing is still pending, but he could face up to 20 years in prison. The last members of the gang disbanded in May 2025, with another member, Marlon Ferro, receiving a 6.5-year sentence in May for physical burglaries.
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