article 💰 Chinese Woman Admits Guilt in Record-Breaking $6.7B Global Crypto Fraud

A Chinese national has pleaded guilty in the United Kingdom to orchestrating one of the largest cryptocurrency-related financial crimes in history — a case tied to the seizure of more than $6.7 billion worth of Bitcoin.

Please Register !

Key Highlights

• Zhimin Qian, also known as Yadi Zhang, admitted in London to running a multibillion-dollar fraud that resulted in the confiscation of 61,000 BTC.

• The massive investment scam between 2014 and 2017 deceived more than 128,000 investors in China.

• Funds were laundered through real estate purchases, with assistance from Jian Wen, her long-time associate.

• U.K. authorities hailed the conviction as a major milestone in the global fight against crypto-driven money laundering.

Please Register !

A Years-Long Fraud Finally Brought to Justice

Appearing before Southwark Crown Court in London, Qian confessed to illegally acquiring and holding tens of thousands of Bitcoins connected to a sweeping investment fraud in China.

According to the Metropolitan Police, Qian orchestrated a network of fraudulent ventures that promised extraordinary daily returns to investors. The operation, which ran between 2014 and 2017, drew in professionals, retirees, and families — many persuaded by friends or relatives to invest.

Authorities revealed that the stolen funds were swiftly converted into Bitcoin, leading to a massive recovery of 61,000 BTC by U.K. investigators.

Please Register !

How the Scheme Unraveled

The Met’s investigation began in 2018, after officers received intelligence about suspicious cryptocurrency transfers. Qian had lived in the U.K. under a false identity for several years, purchasing expensive homes and luxury items in an effort to disguise the source of her wealth.

Detective Sergeant Isabella Grotto, who led the case, described it as “a painstaking, multi-jurisdictional investigation spanning seven years.”

Please Register !

Lavish Lifestyle and an Accomplice

Qian didn’t operate alone. Her close associate, Jian Wen, a 44-year-old former restaurant worker, helped funnel stolen funds into real estate and luxury assets.

Wen was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison last year after investigators discovered her dramatic lifestyle change — from living above a takeaway shop to residing in a luxury North London home.

Authorities confirmed she also purchased two Dubai properties worth more than £500,000, and police seized over £300 million in Bitcoin tied to her activities.

Court filings show that Qian’s fake investment firm posed as a fintech company, presenting itself as a supporter of China’s digital innovation strategy. In reality, prosecutors said it was a front for an elaborate crypto Ponzi scheme.

Qian is currently held in custody and awaits sentencing.

Please Register !

Surge in Crypto-Related Attacks Adds to Market Concerns

Meanwhile, new research suggests that physical attacks targeting crypto holders have surged by 169% in just six and a half months.

According to data compiled by CASA co-founder Jameson Lopp, 35 violent incidents involving cryptocurrency theft have been reported globally since February, reflecting growing risks as Bitcoin and other assets continue to rally.

In total, 48 crypto-related assaults have been recorded so far in 2025, a 33% rise compared to all of 2024. France alone has reported 14 incidents this year.

One of the most alarming cases occurred on September 6 in Cambridge, Canada, where a man was kidnapped at gunpoint and forced to transfer his digital assets to an attacker’s wallet.

Please Register !

Summary

• Qian admitted guilt in the world’s largest-ever crypto seizure case — 61,000 BTC worth $6.7B.

• The scam defrauded over 128,000 victims in China.

• Jian Wen, her associate, already serves prison time for laundering the proceeds.

• Authorities called it a major win against crypto-enabled financial crime.

• Rising physical attacks highlight a growing global security concern for crypto investors.