30.09.2025 17:57
A Chinese woman, introduced in England as the 'Goddess of Wealth,' has been found guilty of being involved in a cryptocurrency scam exceeding $6.7 billion. Between 2014 and 2017, she defrauded over 128,000 people and invested the proceeds in Bitcoin. Her scheme has also gone down in history as the largest single cryptocurrency theft ever.
The UK police have achieved a significant success in a large-scale fraud investigation, considered one of the largest cryptocurrency operations ever seen in the world. Chinese national Zhimin Qian, also known as Yadi Zhang, has been accused of playing a key role in a cryptocurrency fraud exceeding 6.7 billion dollars.
DEFRAUDED MORE THAN 128,000 PEOPLE
At the end of the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police, which began seven years ago, 47-year-old Qian pleaded guilty to the charges of illegally acquiring and possessing a large amount of cryptocurrency at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday, September 29. Authorities stated that he defrauded more than 128,000 people in China between 2014 and 2017.
FRAUD EXCEEDING 6.7 BILLION DOLLARS
It was reported that a total of 61,000 Bitcoins were seized from Qian's accounts as part of the investigation. The value of the Bitcoins that Qian obtained illegally is said to have exceeded 6.7 billion dollars. The police stated that Qian stored the proceeds from the fraud by investing in Bitcoin assets. Additionally, it was noted that he escaped from China using fake documents and came to the UK, where he attempted to launder the stolen money by purchasing properties.
MILLIONS FOUND FROM ACCOMPLICE
One of Qian's accomplices, a Chinese national named Jian Wen, received a 6-year and 8-month prison sentence for complicity last year. It was determined that Wen, who runs a delivery service in London, purchased properties worth millions of pounds with the proceeds from the fraud. The police also seized 300 million pounds worth of Bitcoin from Wen.
DEFRAUDED WITH FAKE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
According to a report by Lifeweek magazine published in China, in 2024, investors, mostly aged between 50 and 75, invested tens of millions of yuan in the fake investment opportunities presented by Qian. Qian defrauded large crowds by promising daily dividends and guaranteed profits, taking advantage of the rise of cryptocurrency. He deceived investors by showing that he was running large projects with the company he established and gaining prestige in the financial world.
'GODDESS OF WEALTH'
It was reported that some investors invested in Qian, who was introduced as the 'goddess of wealth', without ever knowing her, solely based on recommendations from friends or family.
READY TO COMPENSATE LOSSES
Qian's lawyer, Roger Sahota, stated that his client is ready to compensate the victims for their losses. Sahota expressed hope that the acceptance of guilt would provide some comfort to the victims and that the increase in the value of cryptocurrency would provide sufficient funds to cover the losses. Meanwhile, there are claims that the UK government plans to keep the seized cryptocurrency assets in the treasury.
THE LARGEST CRYPTOCURRENCY CASE TO DATE
UK Deputy Attorney General Robin Weyell stated, "This case, the largest cryptocurrency case seized in our country, reveals the extent of the criminals' illicit gains."