Man Behind $73M Pig-Butchering Plot Sentenced to 20 Years

Crypto News Regulation

Man Behind $73 Million Pig-Butchering Plot Sentenced to 20 Years

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: February 10, 2026

Key Takeaways

Daren Li received a 20-year US sentence for a crypto fraud scheme that gathered over $73 million from victims around the world;
Li admitted that he and his partners direct at least $73.6 million into accounts they control and use US shell companies to hide the funds;
Officials said Li fled in 2025 after removing his tracking monitor, and they plan further cooperation to return him to custody.

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Man Behind $73 Million Pig-Butchering Plot Sentenced to 20 Years

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A man who holds citizenship in both China and St. Kitts and Nevis has received a 20-year sentence in the United States for running a large cryptocurrency fraud operation.

The scheme collected more than $73 million from victims worldwide, including many in the US.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) stated on February 10 that Daren Li was given the maximum prison term allowed in the Central District of California. He will also face three years of supervised release.

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Officials noted that Li has been a fugitive since December 2025, when he removed his tracking monitor and disappeared.

Prosecutors explained that Li and several partners created fake websites that looked like legitimate trading platforms. They used these sites to convince individuals to invest in fraudulent investment opportunities, a tactic often described as a pig-butchering scam.

Investigators found that the group usually contacted people through social media or dating apps. The goal was to form a friendly or romantic connection. Once they had gained victims' trust, they directed them to move money into accounts controlled by the group.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said the sentence reflects the seriousness of the scheme and noted that authorities will continue to work with international partners to return Li to custody.

Li admitted that he and his partners persuaded victims to send at least $73.6 million to accounts tied to the group. Court filings state that nearly $60 million moved through US shell companies to hide the funds' source.

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