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{"actor":"system:backfill","investigation_id":"111e1bd2-0072-4e14-9d65-dfc8cd419700","kind":"publish","page_slug":"evan-tangeman","published_at":"2026-06-15T23:37:24.826Z","sequence_num":1,"snapshot":{"content_type":"investigation","entity_name":"Evan Tangeman","sections":[{"content":"On December 8, 2025, Evan Tangeman pleaded guilty to one count of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) conspiracy in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He admitted to laundering at least $3.5 million in proceeds derived from the criminal enterprise. On April 24, 2026, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentenced Tangeman to 70 months (approximately 5 years and 10 months) in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Department of Justice cited Tangeman's post-arrest obstruction conduct — specifically his alleged efforts to arrange the destruction of digital devices after co-conspirators were arrested — as a factor reflecting consciousness of guilt that informed the sentencing. Tangeman was the ninth defendant to enter a guilty plea in this investigation.","heading":"Criminal Conviction and Sentence","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ Press Release: California Money Launderer Sentenced in D.C. to 70 Months","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/california-money-launderer-sentenced-dc-70-months-role-scheme-stole-263-million"},{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation: California Money Launderer Sentenced to 70 Months","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/california-money-launderer-sentenced-in-dc-to-70-months-for-role-in-scheme-that-stole-263-million"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Decrypt: Money Launderer Sentenced to 70 Months Over $263M Crypto Social-Engineering Scheme","type":"news_article","url":"https://decrypt.co/365606/money-launderer-sentenced-to-70-months-over-263m-crypto-social-engineering-scheme"}]},{"content":"Tangeman operated under the aliases 'E,' 'Tate,' and 'Evan|Exchanger' and served as a primary money launderer for the criminal organization known internally as the 'Social Engineering Enterprise' (SEE). His specific functions within the group included converting stolen cryptocurrency into fiat currency using bulk-cash converters, coordinating with real estate agents to secure luxury rental properties in Los Angeles, Miami, and the Hamptons at rates ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 per month, and causing false names to be listed on lease agreements to conceal the beneficial identity of occupants. Tangeman received compensation for his laundering services in the form of exotic vehicles, including a widebody Lamborghini Urus. Law enforcement seized a 2022 Rolls Royce Ghost valued at over $300,000 and a Porsche GT3 RS from his residence. In addition to facilitating cash conversion and luxury logistics for co-conspirators, Tangeman is alleged to have accessed home security systems and coordinated the destruction of digital devices following the September 2024 arrest of co-conspirator Malone Lam, an act prosecutors characterized as obstruction of justice.","heading":"Role in the Social Engineering Enterprise","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation: Guilty Plea and Superseding Indictment in $263M Crypto Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/guilty-plea-and-superseding-indictment-announced-in-social-engineering-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-cryptocurrency"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The Record: California Man Pleads Guilty to RICO Charges as DOJ Indicts Crypto Theft Gang","type":"news_article","url":"https://therecord.media/california-man-pleads-guilty-rico-charges-crypto-theft"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The Block: 22-Year-Old Sentenced to 70 Months for Money Laundering Tied to $263M Crypto Syndicate","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.theblock.co/post/398899/22-year-old-sentenced-to-70-months-for-money-laundering-tied-to-263-million-crypto-syndicate"}]},{"content":"The Social Engineering Enterprise operated from approximately October 2023 through May 2025. The organization originated from relationships formed on online gaming platforms, with its membership consisting predominantly of young adults, many under the age of 25, from California, Connecticut, New York, Florida, and international locations. The group operated with a division of labor that included database hackers who purchased compromised personal data from dark web markets, target identifiers who selected high-value victims, social engineers who impersonated staff from cryptocurrency exchanges and email providers to extract credentials and seed phrases, money launderers including Tangeman, and residential burglars who physically targeted hardware cryptocurrency wallets. The group also sent fake security push notifications to victims before initiating fraudulent phone calls. Members communicated primarily via Telegram and Signal, frequently changing usernames to maintain operational security. The organization's primary identified heist occurred on August 18, 2024, when members stole over 4,100 Bitcoin — valued at approximately $263 million at the time of theft and approximately $368 million at later valuations — from a single victim located in the District of Columbia by tricking that victim into downloading remote desktop software. Enterprise members spent the proceeds on nightclub services reportedly exceeding $500,000 per evening, 28 exotic vehicles collectively valued at up to $3.8 million, luxury watches priced between $100,000 and $500,000, and high-end rental properties valued between $4 million and $9 million.","heading":"The Social Engineering Enterprise: Overview of the Criminal Organization","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation: Guilty Plea and Superseding Indictment in $263M Crypto Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/guilty-plea-and-superseding-indictment-announced-in-social-engineering-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-cryptocurrency"},{"credibility":2,"name":"TRM Labs: DOJ Uses Organized Crime Statute in $263M Cryptocurrency Theft","type":"research","url":"https://www.trmlabs.com/resources/blog/doj-uses-organized-crime-statute-in-263-million-cryptocurrency-theft-money-laundering-and-home-invasion-conspiracy"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Decrypt: Ninth Defendant Pleads Guilty in $263M Crypto Social-Engineering Scheme","type":"news_article","url":"https://decrypt.co/351576/ninth-defendant-pleads-guilty-263m-crypto-scheme"}]},{"content":"At least seventeen individuals have been charged in connection with the Social Engineering Enterprise. The primary ringleader identified by prosecutors is Malone Lam (also known as 'Greavys' and 'Anne Hathaway'), a 20-year-old Singaporean national, who was arrested in September 2024. Jeandiel Serrano (also known as 'VersaceGod' and '@SkidStar') was also arrested in September 2024. As of the date of Tangeman's December 2025 guilty plea, a second superseding indictment was announced adding three additional defendants: Nicholas Dellecave (alias 'Nic,' 'Souja'), arrested in Miami on December 3, 2025; Mustafa Ibrahim (alias 'Krust'), arrested in Dubai; and Danish Zulfiqar (alias 'Danny,' 'Meech'), also arrested in Dubai. Other co-conspirators who pleaded guilty include Tucker Desmond. The investigation involved the IRS Criminal Investigation division, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.","heading":"Co-Defendants and Related Proceedings","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation: Guilty Plea and Superseding Indictment in $263M Crypto Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/guilty-plea-and-superseding-indictment-announced-in-social-engineering-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-cryptocurrency"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The Record: California Man Pleads Guilty to RICO Charges as DOJ Indicts Crypto Theft Gang","type":"news_article","url":"https://therecord.media/california-man-pleads-guilty-rico-charges-crypto-theft"},{"credibility":3,"name":"Wikipedia: Malone Lam","type":"other","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malone_Lam"}]},{"content":"Law enforcement seized multiple high-value assets from Tangeman at the time of his arrest, including a 2022 Rolls Royce Ghost valued at over $300,000 and a Porsche GT3 RS. Tangeman had also received a widebody Lamborghini Urus as compensation for his laundering services from other enterprise members. His admitted laundering activity totaled at least $3.5 million, though prosecutors noted he benefited both directly and indirectly from the broader scheme. The luxury rental properties he secured for the enterprise ranged from $40,000 to $80,000 per month in Los Angeles and Miami. Prosecutors described his lifestyle as 'fantastically extravagant,' funded by criminal proceeds from the broader $263 million theft operation.","heading":"Asset Seizures and Financial Profile","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ Press Release: California Money Launderer Sentenced in D.C. to 70 Months","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/california-money-launderer-sentenced-dc-70-months-role-scheme-stole-263-million"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Border Report: SoCal Man Who Laundered $263M in Stolen Crypto Sentenced to Prison","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.borderreport.com/news/socal-man-who-laundered-263m-in-stolen-crypto-lived-fantastically-extravagant-lifestyle-sentenced-to-prison/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"BleepingComputer: Money Launderer Linked to $230M Crypto Heist Gets 70 Months in Prison","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/money-launderer-linked-to-230m-crypto-heist-gets-70-months-in-prison/"}]}],"sources_used":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ Press Release: California Money Launderer Sentenced in D.C. to 70 Months for Role in Scheme that Stole $263 Million","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/california-money-launderer-sentenced-dc-70-months-role-scheme-stole-263-million"},{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation: California Money Launderer Sentenced to 70 Months","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/california-money-launderer-sentenced-in-dc-to-70-months-for-role-in-scheme-that-stole-263-million"},{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation: Guilty Plea and Superseding Indictment in $263M Crypto Social Engineering Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/guilty-plea-and-superseding-indictment-announced-in-social-engineering-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-cryptocurrency"},{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation: Cryptocurrency Money Launderer Pleads Guilty to RICO Conspiracy","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/cryptocurrency-money-launderer-pleads-guilty-to-rico-conspiracy-in-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-crypto"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Decrypt: Money Launderer Sentenced to 70 Months Over $263M Crypto Social-Engineering Scheme","type":"news_article","url":"https://decrypt.co/365606/money-launderer-sentenced-to-70-months-over-263m-crypto-social-engineering-scheme"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Decrypt: Ninth Defendant Pleads Guilty in $263M Crypto Social-Engineering Scheme","type":"news_article","url":"https://decrypt.co/351576/ninth-defendant-pleads-guilty-263m-crypto-scheme"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The Record from Recorded Future News: California Man Pleads Guilty to RICO Charges as DOJ Indicts Crypto Theft Gang","type":"news_article","url":"https://therecord.media/california-man-pleads-guilty-rico-charges-crypto-theft"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The Block: 22-Year-Old Sentenced to 70 Months for Money Laundering Tied to $263M Crypto Syndicate","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.theblock.co/post/398899/22-year-old-sentenced-to-70-months-for-money-laundering-tied-to-263-million-crypto-syndicate"},{"credibility":2,"name":"BleepingComputer: Money Launderer Linked to $230M Crypto Heist Gets 70 Months in Prison","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/money-launderer-linked-to-230m-crypto-heist-gets-70-months-in-prison/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Border Report / KTLA: SoCal Man Who Laundered $263M in Stolen Crypto Sentenced to Prison","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.borderreport.com/news/socal-man-who-laundered-263m-in-stolen-crypto-lived-fantastically-extravagant-lifestyle-sentenced-to-prison/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"TRM Labs: DOJ Uses Organized Crime Statute in $263M Cryptocurrency Theft, Money Laundering and Home Invasion Conspiracy","type":"research","url":"https://www.trmlabs.com/resources/blog/doj-uses-organized-crime-statute-in-263-million-cryptocurrency-theft-money-laundering-and-home-invasion-conspiracy"},{"credibility":2,"name":"CoinTelegraph: Evan Tangeman Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Role in Scam Group","type":"news_article","url":"https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-doj-sentences-scammer-to-70-months-in-prison-for-263m-in-crypto-theft"},{"credibility":2,"name":"BeInCrypto: California Man Gets 6 Years in Prison for $260 Million Crypto Scam","type":"news_article","url":"https://beincrypto.com/california-crypto-scam-sentencing/"}],"summary":"Evan Tangeman, 22, of Newport Beach, California, pleaded guilty on December 8, 2025 to RICO conspiracy for his role as a money launderer in the 'Social Engineering Enterprise,' a multi-state criminal organization that stole over $263 million in cryptocurrency between October 2023 and May 2025. He admitted to laundering at least $3.5 million in stolen proceeds and was sentenced on April 24, 2026 to 70 months in federal prison plus three years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C. Tangeman was the ninth defendant to plead guilty in what prosecutors described as one of the largest cryptocurrency theft conspiracies ever prosecuted.","timeline":[{"date":"2023-10-01","event":"The Social Engineering Enterprise begins operations, formed from relationships on online gaming platforms, with Malone Lam identified as a primary organizer.","source":"IRS Criminal Investigation press release","source_url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/guilty-plea-and-superseding-indictment-announced-in-social-engineering-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-cryptocurrency"},{"date":"2024-08-18","event":"The enterprise executes its largest known theft: over 4,100 Bitcoin (approximately $263 million) stolen from a single victim in the District of Columbia via social engineering and remote desktop software.","source":"IRS Criminal Investigation press release","source_url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/guilty-plea-and-superseding-indictment-announced-in-social-engineering-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-cryptocurrency"},{"date":"2024-09-01","event":"Malone Lam and Jeandiel Serrano are arrested; Tangeman is alleged to have arranged destruction of digital devices following these arrests.","source":"The Record from Recorded Future News","source_url":"https://therecord.media/california-man-pleads-guilty-rico-charges-crypto-theft"},{"date":"2025-05-01","event":"Social Engineering Enterprise operations cease; enterprise active period closes.","source":"IRS Criminal Investigation press release","source_url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/guilty-plea-and-superseding-indictment-announced-in-social-engineering-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-cryptocurrency"},{"date":"2025-12-03","event":"Nicholas Dellecave is arrested in Miami as part of a second superseding indictment adding three new defendants to the case.","source":"IRS Criminal Investigation press release","source_url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/guilty-plea-and-superseding-indictment-announced-in-social-engineering-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-cryptocurrency"},{"date":"2025-12-08","event":"Evan Tangeman pleads guilty to RICO conspiracy in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, becoming the ninth defendant to enter a guilty plea in the investigation. He admits to laundering at least $3.5 million.","source":"DOJ / IRS Criminal Investigation","source_url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/guilty-plea-and-superseding-indictment-announced-in-social-engineering-scheme-that-stole-263-million-in-cryptocurrency"},{"date":"2026-04-24","event":"U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentences Evan Tangeman to 70 months in federal prison plus three years of supervised release.","source":"DOJ Press Release and IRS Criminal Investigation","source_url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/california-money-launderer-sentenced-dc-70-months-role-scheme-stole-263-million"}]},"v":1}