Overview
- Southwark Crown Court sentenced the 47-year-old, also known as Yadi Zhang, after she pleaded guilty to possessing and transferring criminal property.
- Police recovered more than 61,000 bitcoin in the case, a U.K. record haul currently valued at roughly £5 billion to £5.5 billion.
- Prosecutors said Qian ran the Lantian Gerui Ponzi-style scheme in China between 2014 and 2017, drawing in about 128,000 investors before fleeing on false documents.
- Co-defendant Seng Hok Ling received four years and 11 months, while associate Jian Wen was jailed last year for six years and eight months.
- Investigators described extensive cross-border cooperation, including with Chinese authorities, and confirmed civil recovery proceedings are under way to determine restitution.