How a Global Crypto Scam Ended With a 20-Year Sentence for a Man on the Run
A fugitive, Daren Li, was sentenced in absentia to 20 years for his role in a $73 million international crypto investment scam.Summary
Daren Li, a dual national of China and St. Kitts and Nevis, was sentenced to the maximum statutory term of 20 years in prison for his involvement in a $73 million global cryptocurrency investment scam. The operation, run from centers in Cambodia, used social engineering, fake trading platforms, and online deception via social media and dating services to trick victims into sending funds. Li pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder the proceeds, admitting that at least $73.6 million was deposited into accounts he controlled, with $59.8 million laundered through US shell companies. Although Li was arrested in April 2024, he fled before sentencing, cutting off his ankle monitor in December 2025. Despite his fugitive status, a federal judge sentenced him to 20 years followed by three years of supervised release on February 9, 2026, marking a significant step in the Justice Department's crackdown on transnational crypto fraud.
(Source：BeInCrypto)