The Crown Prosecution Service’s Action Against Sen Hok Ling
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the United Kingdom has mandated that Sen Hok Ling, a Malaysian individual linked to the notorious Bitcoin fraudster Zhimin Qian, reimburse over $7.6 million (£5 million) as part of a money laundering case. Failing to comply could extend his imprisonment. Ling was classified by the CPS as a “professional money launderer” and was found to have received 83.7 BTC from Qian within the early months of 2024, which he subsequently converted to cash in banks in the United Arab Emirates through various intermediaries.
Comments from the Chief Crown Prosecutor
Chief Crown Prosecutor Adrian Foster commented on the severity of Ling’s involvement, stating, “Ling took part in a sophisticated money laundering operation which laundered many millions of pounds from the proceeds of crime.”
Recently, the CPS secured a Confiscation Order mandating that Ling repay this sum within three months, or face an additional prison term of up to eight years.
Ling’s Sentencing and Qian’s Background
Ling, who was sentenced to a prison term of four years and 11 months in November 2025, had pleaded guilty to money laundering charges. His conviction coincided with that of Qian, who, also known as Yadi Zhang, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison for two counts of money laundering. Qian’s fraudulent activities dated back to a Ponzi scheme executed in China from 2014 to 2017, where he swindled approximately 128,000 elderly investors out of their savings through his company, Lantian Gerui. Payouts from this scheme ceased in 2017, prompting Qian to convert her defrauded money into cryptocurrency before fleeing to the UK under an alias.
Qian’s Lifestyle and Arrest
Upon her arrival, Qian attempted to transform her identity and cash out her cryptocurrency investments. Her luxurious lifestyle included renting a substantial mansion in Hampstead Heath for $21,000 per month and aspirations to forge connections with European nobility, including plans to acquire a Swedish castle. She even fancied the title “Queen of Liberland”—a reference to a microstate in the Danube River—although her ambitions came to an abrupt halt with her arrest in April 2024.
Historic Cryptocurrency Seizure
The police conducted raids on her properties, leading to the historic seizure of 61,000 BTC, marking the largest cryptocurrency confiscation in UK history. Currently valued at approximately $5.4 billion, discussions are underway regarding the asset’s distribution. The victims of Lantian Gerui, however, initially lost an estimated $600 million without receiving any Bitcoin.
Ongoing Civil Litigation
Ongoing civil litigation aims to determine how this cryptocurrency will be allocated, with funds likely directed not only towards compensating victims but possibly also flowing into the UK Treasury. Nick Harris, head of CryptoCare, a recovery firm, noted that under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, UK authorities can retain such overseas funds seized from fraudulent activities. Harris has even suggested that this reserve could bolster the UK’s influence in the global cryptocurrency market while simultaneously supporting victims of the fraud.
