When police raided their Hampstead home in 2018, they discovered devices holding 61,000 Bitcoin—worth about £5 billion today. The Metropolitan Police confirmed it was the largest single cryptocurrency seizure in the world.
Legal Battle Over Billions
The massive fortune is now the subject of a tug-of-war. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reportedly earmarked the seized assets to help shore up Britain’s public finances, but Chinese victims insist the money rightfully belongs to them.
In her digital diary, Qian revealed ambitions of being crowned a “Reincarnated Goddess” by the Dalai Lama and ruling over Liberland, a self-declared micronation on the Danube.
Using the funds from her crypto Scam she envisioned building an airport, port, Buddhist temple, and even acquiring a £5 million crown and scepter.
Conviction and Sentencing
Qian, who had been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to charges of possessing and transferring criminal property. Wen was previously sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for her role.
