A woman in China, known online as the “Goddess of Wealth,” has received a nearly 12-year prison sentence for masterminding a massive Bitcoin scam. She stole billions of dollars from investors and then moved the money illegally through the United Kingdom.
Between 2014 and 2017, Zhimin Qian, age 47, ran a large Ponzi scheme in China, promising investors returns as high as 300%. Her company, Lantian Gerui (also known as Blue Sky Greet), falsely claimed to be investing in cryptocurrency mining and developing new technologies. Authorities say it was actually a cover for a massive fraud, one of the largest financial scams ever discovered.
The scam affected over 128,000 people and took in about $7.2 billion before it fell apart. A large portion of this money was then changed into Bitcoin and sent to foreign accounts.
‘Goddess of Wealth’ sentenced after massive multi-billion Bitcoin bust
Qian escaped to London, living in a Hampstead mansion under an assumed name. After years of evading authorities, she was apprehended in 2024 following a thorough investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Police searching a London home discovered digital wallets containing 61,000 Bitcoin, valued at more than £5 billion (about $6.6 billion). This represents the biggest cryptocurrency haul ever seized in the UK.
Qian had an accomplice, 47-year-old Hok Seng Ling from Malaysia, who also admitted to money laundering. He was sentenced to almost five years in prison.
According to Will Lyne, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Economic and Cybercrime Command, this case represents one of the biggest money-laundering schemes ever seen in the UK, and it’s also one of the most valuable cryptocurrency-related cases worldwide. He stated that careful investigation and close collaboration with Chinese authorities allowed them to trace the illegal source of these digital assets.
At Southwark Crown Court in London, Judge Sally-Ann Hales stated that Qian’s offenses were complex and driven solely by financial gain.
Qian admitted in court to handling and moving illegally obtained money, appearing upset while doing so. She received a sentence of eleven years and eight months.
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2025-11-13 00:48