Chinese Scammer Gets 11 Years, UK Seizes £4.8B in BTC

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In a stunning twist that would make even the most jaded conspiracy theorist raise an eyebrow, a Chinese national has been sentenced to 11 years and 8 months in the UK for money laundering tied to a massive investment scam. 🤡💰

Zhimin Qian, who apparently thought “masterminding a scheme” meant “throwing money at a wall and hoping it sticks,” defrauded over 128,000 victims of about £600 million. Because nothing says “I’m a financial genius” like scamming nearly a third of a country’s population. 🧠💸

The 47-year-old, also known as Yadi Zhang, converted around £20.2 million of the proceeds into Bitcoin and fled to the UK. Because nothing says “I’m sorry” like a 47-year-old with a British passport and a wallet full of digital gold. 🏴‍☠️

UK police seized over 60,000 Bitcoin from her in the largest cryptocurrency haul in British history, which is now worth £4.8 billion. Because apparently, the UK’s idea of a “cash for gold” scheme is to take your crypto and call it a day. 💸

Qian has pleaded guilty to money laundering charges. Because admitting guilt is the only way to avoid the full wrath of a system that’s clearly more interested in collecting Bitcoin than in justice. 🧩

Her accomplice, Senghok Ling, 47, a Malaysian national, was sentenced to four years and 11 months for possessing criminal property in cryptocurrency and transferring about £2.5 million on Qian’s behalf. Because nothing says “teamwork” like two people getting locked up for moving digital money around. 🤝🔒

Both Qian and Ling were arrested in April 2024 after police surveillance and multiple attempts to buy luxury property. Because nothing says “I’m a criminal” like trying to buy a mansion in the UK while your wallet is full of stolen Bitcoin. 🏡

The Crown Prosecution Service is looking to confiscate the seized assets through criminal and civil proceedings. Because if there’s one thing the UK excels at, it’s turning financial crimes into legal spectacles. 🎩

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2025-11-13 06:58