Goddess of Wealth Jailed for $7.2 Billion Crypto Scam Targeting Thousands

Zhimin Qian jailed in UK for $7.2B crypto scam targeting 128,000 victims; 61,000 Bitcoin seized in record-breaking operation.

Zhimin Qian, also known as Yadi Zhang and nicknamed the “Goddess of Wealth,” has been sentenced to 11 years and eight months in a UK prison.

She was found guilty of running one of the largest crypto-related Ponzi schemes ever uncovered, defrauding over 128,000 victims. ,

The case also involved the biggest cryptocurrency seizure in UK history, with authorities recovering tens of thousands of Bitcoin.

Fraud Scheme Promised High Returns to Investors

Between 2014 and 2017, Qian operated an investment company in China named Lantian Gerui, also known as Blue Sky.

The firm advertised unusually high returns of up to 300%, attracting a large number of investors. Many of the victims were elderly people who lost their savings.

The scheme was based on a Ponzi model, using funds from new investors to pay earlier ones.

Investigators confirmed that over 128,000 individuals were defrauded during this period.

Chinese authorities launched an investigation in 2017, but Qian fled the country before she could be arrested.

Using a false passport, she entered the UK and lived under a new identity. She rented expensive properties, traveled across Europe, and continued to access crypto funds linked to the scam.

Massive Bitcoin Seizure and Arrest in the UK

According to UTXO Times, Crypto scammer who stole $7.2 billion from more than 128,000 victims has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The so-called ‘Goddess of Wealth’ fled China in 2014 but was captured in London with 61,000 Bitcoin worth over $6.6 billion.

In April 2024, Qian was arrested in York after investigators tracked activity from a previously dormant Bitcoin wallet.

The transactions led authorities to her and an accomplice, Malaysian national Seng Hok Ling. Police searched her rented properties, including a London mansion costing £17,000 per month.

Law enforcement seized 61,000 Bitcoin stored in encrypted devices. At the time of sentencing, the total value of the Bitcoin exceeded $6.6 billion.

Officials described the seizure as the largest ever in the UK involving cryptocurrency assets.

Court Sentencing and Victim Compensation Process

In November 2025, a UK court sentenced Qian to nearly 12 years in prison for laundering criminal proceeds.

The judge noted that her actions were driven by greed and that the scam caused wide financial harm.

Seng Hok Ling was sentenced to four years and nine months for helping transfer funds.

Authorities are now working to return the seized funds to affected investors.

Legal proceedings are in progress to allow compensation through civil and criminal asset recovery channels.

The process involves identifying eligible victims and verifying their claims.

UK and Chinese officials are coordinating efforts to assist with recovery.

Many victims are still waiting for updates on how and when funds will be distributed.

The legal teams have stated that returning funds to victims remains a top priority.

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