A fugitive crypto scam operator Daren Li was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release for laundering more than $73 million stolen from American victims.
Details of the Money Laundering Conspiracy
A U.S. court has sentenced in absentia a dual citizen of China and St. Kitts and Nevis to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release for orchestrating a cryptocurrency investment fraud. Daren Li, 42, remains a fugitive after cutting off his electronic ankle monitor and absconding in December 2025.
According to a media statement, Li pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiring to launder more than $73 million stolen from American victims through fraudulent crypto platforms and related scams. Prosecutors said Li directed co-conspirators to open U.S. bank accounts under shell companies, monitored wire transfers and oversaw the conversion of victim funds into virtual currency.
Authorities revealed that Li’s escape came just weeks before his sentencing. He was under federal supervision in California when he removed his monitoring device and disappeared, prompting a nationwide manhunt. Investigators believe he may have relied on international contacts to evade capture.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said the sentence reflects “the gravity of Li’s conduct, which caused devastating losses to victims throughout our country.” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli warned that online fraudsters exploit technology to prey on unsuspecting victims, urging the public to exercise caution when approached by strangers online.
The scheme reportedly operated from scam centers in Cambodia, where co-conspirators lured victims through unsolicited social media messages, dating apps and spoofed trading platforms. Victims were tricked into sending funds under the guise of professional or romantic relationships or through fake tech support claims.
Eight co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty, but Li is the first defendant directly tied to the receipt of victim funds to be sentenced. Despite his absence, prosecutors emphasized that the ruling underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to dismantling scam centers worldwide.
Officials stressed that efforts to locate Li are ongoing. “We will work with our law enforcement partners around the world to ensure that Li is returned to the United States to serve his full sentence,” Duva said.
FAQ ❓
- Who is Daren Li? Li is a 42‑year‑old dual citizen of China and St. Kitts and Nevis convicted in a U.S. crypto fraud case.
- What sentence did he receive? A California court sentenced him in absentia to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release.
- Why is he a fugitive? Li cut off his ankle monitor and absconded in December 2025, sparking a nationwide manhunt.
- What was the scale of the fraud? Li and co‑conspirators laundered over $73M stolen from American victims through fake crypto platforms.