A 22-year-old California resident has pleaded responsible to his position in a multi-state social engineering scheme that stole roughly $263 million in crypto.
Evan Tangeman of Newport Seashore, California, admitted laundering $3.5 million in crypto for the legal enterprise, the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace introduced Monday.
Tangeman pleaded responsible to collaborating in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy earlier than U.S. District Court docket Choose Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 24, 2026. He’s the ninth defendant to enter a responsible plea on this particular investigation.
The courtroom additionally unsealed the Second Superseding Indictment, including three extra defendants. Nicholas Dellecave, often known as “Nic” or “Souja,” Mustafa Ibrahim, often known as “Krust,” and Danish Zulfiqar, often known as “Danny” or “Meech,” face expenses of RICO conspiracy together with the opposite members of the Social Engineering Enterprise (SE Enterprise).
Dellecave was arrested in Miami on Dec. 3, 2025. Ibrahim and Zulfiqar have been just lately arrested in Dubai.
In line with prosecutors, the enterprise started in October 2023 and continued via no less than Could 2025. It originated from friendships shaped on on-line gaming platforms. The group included people in California, Connecticut, New York, Florida, and overseas.
Particulars of the rampant crypto crime
The scheme concerned database hackers, organizers, goal identifiers, callers, and residential burglars who focused {hardware} wallets containing cryptocurrency. Hackers used stolen databases to determine high-value targets.
Callers impersonated crypto trade employees or electronic mail suppliers to trick victims into revealing account credentials.
Burglars bodily broke into properties to steal {hardware} wallets.
Tangeman acted as a cash launderer. He transformed stolen cryptocurrency into money utilizing a bulk-cash converter. Tangeman then used the money to acquire rental properties for members of the group, typically itemizing false names on the leases.
Some properties rented for $40,000 to $80,000 monthly. He secured properties in Los Angeles and Miami.
The most important recognized theft occurred on Aug. 18, 2024. Tangeman’s co-conspirators, together with Malone Lam and Danish Zulfiqar, deceived a sufferer in Washington, D.C., into transferring over 4,100 Bitcoin. On the time, the crypto was valued at $263 million. The identical quantity is now value greater than $368 million.
Tangeman additionally helped Lam receive roughly $3 million in money from stolen cryptocurrency to safe a rental property.
After Lam’s arrest on Sept. 18, 2024, Tangeman accessed residence safety techniques to screenshot FBI brokers throughout searches. He additionally requested one other member to retrieve and destroy digital units from Lam’s Los Angeles residence.
Prosecutors stated the enterprise spent stolen funds on a lavish life-style. Purchases included nightclub providers as much as $500,000 per evening, luxurious purses, watches valued between $100,000 and $500,000, designer clothes, rental properties, personal jets, safety guards, and a fleet of no less than 28 unique vehicles starting from $100,000 to $3.8 million.
Three extra defendants unsealed
With Tangeman’s responsible plea, prosecutors have unsealed expenses towards three extra defendants. The Second Superseding Indictment exhibits the investigation is ongoing. Authorities haven’t disclosed whether or not any of the stolen Bitcoin has been recovered or whether or not restitution can be sought.
The SE Enterprise relied on social engineering moderately than refined hacking strategies. The group’s operations originated from on-line friendships, however the stolen funds funded high-profile purchases and drew consideration.
Authorities stated the defendants’ extravagant spending performed a task in exposing their actions.
Tangeman stays free pending sentencing.
Federal penalties for RICO conspiracy and cash laundering carry vital jail phrases. The Justice Division has indicated that extra expenses might observe because the investigation continues.
A RICO conspiracy happens when people agree to participate in a sample of legal exercise, or racketeering, via an ‘enterprise.’ Below the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), prosecutors can join separate crimes and people below a single cost.
The main target is on proving a shared legal goal, not that each participant dedicated each act.
