Chinese Mastermind of U.K.’s Largest Bitcoin Laundering Plot Jailed for Nearly 12 Years
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(London) — A London judge sentenced Qian Zhimin to 11 years and eight months in prison Tuesday for masterminding the U.K.’s largest-ever money laundering case, involving more than 60,000 bitcoins.
Judge Sally-Ann Hales KC told the 47-year-old at Southwark Crown Court that the sentence was reduced from 13 years due to her guilty plea. Qian wept during the hearing.
Qian had pleaded guilty on Sept. 29 to holding and transferring criminal property. Her accomplice, Seng Hok Ling, was sentenced to four years and 11 months in prison for helping her launder money and evade capture.
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- Qian Zhimin was sentenced to 11 years and eight months for laundering over 60,000 bitcoins, U.K.’s largest case, with her sentence reduced for a guilty plea.
- The crime stemmed from a $6 billion illegal fundraising scheme in China, with funds laundered via cryptocurrency; nearly 130,000 victims await compensation.
- Qian faces deportation after her release, while accomplices Seng Hok Ling and Wen Jian also received prison sentences.
- Tianjin Lantian Gerui Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.
- Tianjin Lantian Gerui Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. was a company Qian Zhimin used to orchestrate an illegal fundraising scheme. This scheme, which defrauded victims across China of over 43 billion yuan, ultimately collapsed in 2017.
- 2017：
- Collapse of Tianjin Lantian Gerui Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. and the onset of illegal fundraising scheme orchestrated by Qian Zhimin.
- After 2017 collapse：
- Qian Zhimin flees to the U.K. with bitcoins converted from the proceeds of the scheme.
- April 2024：
- Qian Zhimin taken into custody in the U.K.
- May 2024：
- Wen Jian, Qian’s accomplice, was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison.
- September 29, 2025：
- Qian Zhimin pleaded guilty to holding and transferring criminal property.
- October 2025：
- The U.K.’s Crown Prosecution Service proposed a compensation scheme for victims.
- November 12, 2025：
- Qian Zhimin sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison; sentence reduced due to guilty plea.
- By December 29, 2025：
- Deadline set by Chinese authorities for victims to register their claims.
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