12 New Defendants Charged in Cryptocurrency Theft Ring That Laundered $263M via Mixers and Hermès Birkin Bags

The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI Special Agent Sean Ryan, and IRS-CI Executive Special Agent Kareem A. Carter, accuses the group—composed of U.S. and foreign nationals—of crimes including racketeering, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice.

U.S. authorities have charged 12 additional defendants in a sprawling RICO conspiracy that allegedly involved over $263 million in cryptocurrency thefts, money laundering, and coordinated home invasions, according to a superseding indictment unsealed this week.

The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI Special Agent Sean Ryan, and IRS-CI Executive Special Agent Kareem A. Carter, accuses the group—composed of U.S. and foreign nationals—of crimes including racketeering, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice. The alleged enterprise, which began operating in October 2023 and continued until March 2025, arose from connections made on online gaming platforms.

Members of the group reportedly held specialized roles, including hackers who stole cryptocurrency databases, “callers” who used social engineering to trick victims into sending cryptocurrency, and burglars who physically stole hardware wallets, law enforcement officials claim.

Prosecutors further maintain that the group laundered the stolen proceeds through cryptocurrency mixers, created “peel chains” to siphon off smaller amounts of cryptocurrency from larger transactions, and set up shell companies to process payments. They also allegedly used the stolen funds to purchase lavish rentals, private jets, and 28 exotic cars—some worth up to $3.8 million each.

The indictment details an extravagant lifestyle fueled by the illicit gains, including $4 million spent at nightclubs, $500,000 on watches, and the delivery of Hermès Birkin bags to associates.

One theft, which occurred in August 2024, allegedly yielded 4,100 bitcoin (valued at $230 million at the time; now worth over $423 million) from a victim in Washington, D.C. In another instance, members broke into a New Mexico home to steal a hardware wallet while monitoring the victim’s location and activity through iCloud.

Two suspects remain at large in Dubai, while seven were arrested in California this week. The remaining three had previously been arrested in New York and Florida.

The DOJ alleges that co-conspirators continued operations even after some were arrested, delivering bundles of cash in stuffed animals through the mail as part of an effort to move the stolen funds.

The case, which is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg, involved collaboration between the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Miami field offices.

If convicted, the defendants face sentences that will be determined based on federal sentencing guidelines and other applicable law.