Federal authorities have apprehended Veer Chetal, known online as "Wiz," for his alleged role in one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts of 2024. The 19-year-old suspect is the third member of a hacker group accused of stealing $243 million from a Genesis creditor.
According to investigators, Chetal and his two accomplices - Malone Lam ("Greavys") and Jeandiel Serrano ("Box") - orchestrated an elaborate social engineering scheme. The group allegedly impersonated Google and Gemini representatives using spoofed phone numbers to manipulate their victim into transferring funds and resetting security measures.
The most substantial theft occurred in a single transaction of 4,064 Bitcoin, valued at $238 million. Investigators say Chetal's identity was exposed when he accidentally revealed his full name during a screen share of the heist.
The arrest follows the September 2024 apprehension of Lam and Serrano, who face charges of conspiracy to steal and launder cryptocurrency. Authorities say the group used the stolen funds to purchase luxury items, including high-end vehicles, watches, and designer clothing.
Law enforcement officials managed to freeze over $9 million of the stolen assets, with $500,000 returned to the victim. However, approximately $100 million in Bitcoin remains unaccounted for.
If convicted, the suspects could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Lam's trial is scheduled for October 2025, while court dates for Chetal and Serrano are pending.