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Zhimin Qian (Chinese:钱志敏, also known asYadi Zhang) is a Chinesefraudster.[1] She was convicted in September 2025 atSouthwark Crown Court in London of illegally acquiring and possessing more than £5bn worth ofBitcoin.[2] She had attempted tolaunder the proceeds in the UK. The case is believed to be the single largest cryptocurrency seizure in the world, involving multiple jurisdictions.[3] Qian had conducted aPonzi scheme scam in China between 2014 and 2017 using her company Lantian Gerui and involving more than 128,000 victims who transferred her funds which she converted into Bitcoin.[3]
Jian Wen, a Chinese takeaway worker, was jailed in 2024 of attempting to launder some of the proceeds of Qian's fraud. She was jailed for 6 years and 8 months.[3] Wen's £300 million of bitcoin were seized by theMetropolitan Police. Wen had rented a large house in north London and had no evidence of how she had legitimately obtained the money.[3] She had also bought two houses in Dubai for £500,000.[3]
Qian was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison on 11 November 2025.[4]