In a dramatic escalation of one of the largest crypto crime cases in U.S. history, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the indictment of 12 additional individuals in connection with a $263 million Bitcoin theft conspiracy.
The charges were revealed in an official DOJ press release, detailing a sweeping RICO case targeting a global network of cybercriminals. According to investigators, the group used SIM swapping, social engineering, and phishing tactics to hijack accounts and drain crypto wallets belonging to high-profile victims.
Gamers Turned Criminals: A Sophisticated Crypto Theft Ring
What makes this case particularly striking is the profile of the accused. Many of the individuals were previously known in the online gaming community, using their technical knowledge and social connections to coordinate a string of high-value attacks.
The DOJ alleges that the thefts took place between 2019 and 2023, resulting in the loss of over $263 million in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies — valued at $230 million at the time of the attacks.
The group reportedly used compromised Discord, Twitter/X, and email accounts to access cryptocurrency holdings and move funds across mixers and obscure chains in an effort to avoid detection.
A Global Operation With U.S. Victims
While the ring included members from the U.S., U.K., and Canada, many of the victims were American, including crypto entrepreneurs, influencers, and early Bitcoin adopters. The indictment also names several individuals as part of the group known as “The Com,” a term used internally by the attackers to refer to their elite inner circle.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves emphasized the international scope of the investigation, stating:
“This was not just a group of hackers. It was a coordinated, sophisticated criminal enterprise targeting victims globally.”
The Legal Fallout: RICO, Wire Fraud, and Identity Theft Charges
The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, as well as violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) — a serious federal charge usually reserved for organized crime.
Source: justice.gov
Several of the defendants are already in custody, while others are expected to be extradited in the coming weeks.
Final Thoughts
This latest move by the DOJ marks a major victory in the fight against organized crypto crime. With 12 more charged, the total number of individuals linked to this theft ring is now over 20 — and more arrests could follow as authorities continue to trace the stolen Bitcoin through blockchain analysis.
The case also serves as a stark reminder of the risks tied to digital asset ownership, particularly for those holding significant amounts without advanced security protections.
