Veer Chatel, a 19-year-old, pled guilty to conspiracy charges tied to a $245 million Bitcoin heist. The U.S. government opposes his release ahead of sentencing, fearing he might flee with the aid of co-conspirators. His plea agreement reveals potential sentencing of 19.5 to 24.5 years in prison and fines up to $500,000. In 2024, Chatel and others executed a social engineering scam, convincing victims to give up their private keys. One victim lost $245 million in Bitcoin during the attack. The FBI discovered $37 million in stolen crypto linked to this case in Chatel's home. Court documents clarify that his modus operandi involved impersonating technical support to gain access to victims' accounts. The teenage hacker lived extravagantly with the stolen funds before his arrest, showing little regard for the serious implications of his actions. Official documentation states he has strong incentives to flee, with ample resources likely available from his associates to assist in such an escape. The case highlights the risks associated with social engineering attacks in the cryptocurrency domain.

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