A Chinese national, Jingliang Su, has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for his central role in an elaborate “pig-butchering” crypto scam. The operation successfully laundered $36.9 million stolen from 174 U.S. victims through a network of shell companies and offshore banks, using social media and fake investment platforms to drain life savings. This sentencing marks a significant victory in the Department of Justice’s ongoing effort to dismantle international cybercrime networks.
Story Highlights
- Jingliang Su sentenced to 46 months and ordered to pay $26 million restitution for operating an illegal money transmitting business.
- Scam targeted 174 U.S. victims through fake crypto platforms promoted via social media, dating apps, and unsolicited messages.
- Laundering operation funneled stolen funds through U.S. shell companies and Bahamas’ Deltec Bank, converting to Tether for Cambodia-based scam centers.
- Nine co-conspirators pleaded guilty in broader DOJ crackdown that has convicted 180+ cybercriminals and recovered over $350 million since 2020.
Federal Court Delivers Justice in International Fraud Case
U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner sentenced Jingliang Su on January 28, 2026, following his guilty plea in June 2025 to conspiring to operate an illegal money transmitting business. The 45-year-old Chinese national served as director at Axis Digital Limited, orchestrating a complex laundering scheme that moved $36.9 million stolen from American victims through shell companies, offshore banks, and cryptocurrency conversions. Su entered federal custody in December 2024 after authorities dismantled his operation, which prosecutors identified as a critical node in an international fraud network operating from Cambodia.
US Navy sailor Jinchao Wei sentenced to 16 years in prison for selling secrets to China after being encouraged by mother https://t.co/3pxc3MOWvA pic.twitter.com/FzPQGWxAIx
— New York Post (@nypost) January 14, 2026
Predatory Scam Exploited Trust and Technology
The “pig-butchering” scheme earned its disturbing name from scammers’ practice of “fattening” victims with trust before financial slaughter. Operators based in Cambodia contacted Americans through unsolicited social media messages, phone calls, texts, and dating apps, building relationships over weeks or months. Victims received invitations to invest in seemingly legitimate cryptocurrency platforms promising high returns. Once victims transferred funds to fake websites mimicking real exchanges, the money vanished into a laundering pipeline designed to obscure its criminal origins and evade law enforcement detection.
The stolen funds followed a calculated path through the financial system. Su and co-conspirators directed victim payments into U.S.-based shell company accounts under their control. From there, the money moved to Deltec Bank in the Bahamas, where operatives converted it to Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar. The USDT then transferred to digital wallets in Cambodia, where scam center leaders distributed it to regional operations. This multi-jurisdictional scheme exploited gaps in international financial oversight and cryptocurrency’s pseudo-anonymous nature, making traditional banking surveillance difficult. The operation represented exactly the type of sophisticated fraud that exploits Americans’ desire for financial independence while undermining trust in emerging investment technologies.
Broader Criminal Network Faces DOJ Prosecution
Su’s sentencing marks the latest victory in a coordinated federal effort targeting this fraud network. Eight co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty, including California resident Shengsheng He, who received 51 months and owed $26.8 million in restitution as Axis Digital’s co-owner, and Jose Somarriba, sentenced to 36 months for his role in the operation. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the dark side of new investment opportunities, noting how criminals exploit innovation to steal and launder tens of millions from unsuspecting Americans. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva highlighted how scammers weaponize the internet, requiring DOJ to evolve tactics against digital fraud.
The Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section has demonstrated commitment to dismantling these networks. Since 2020, federal prosecutors have convicted more than 180 cybercriminals and recovered over $350 million in stolen funds through forfeitures and restitution orders. This case underscores how international cooperation remains essential for combating transnational crime networks that exploit porous borders and regulatory gaps. The DOJ continues pursuing upstream targets in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian scam hubs, where criminal organizations operate with relative impunity. For victims, authorities recommend reporting incidents to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov to aid ongoing investigations.
Crypto Laundering Demands Regulatory Vigilance
This prosecution exposes serious vulnerabilities in cryptocurrency’s role as a tool for financial crimes. Stablecoins like Tether enabled rapid international transfers outside traditional banking oversight, while offshore institutions like Deltec Bank provided conversion services without adequate anti-money laundering safeguards. The 174 American victims lost hard-earned savings meant for retirement, education, or family security, illustrating how these scams devastate real communities. The case highlights the need for robust regulatory frameworks that protect Americans without stifling legitimate innovation. As cryptocurrency adoption grows, bad actors will continue exploiting any system weakness to prey on citizens seeking financial opportunity.
The pig-butchering model originated in China around 2014-2016, evolving from romance fraud tactics into sophisticated investment scams. These operations exploded after 2020 as cryptocurrency gained mainstream acceptance, with scammers relocating to Southeast Asia following Chinese government crackdowns. Cambodia became a hub for “scam compounds” where criminal organizations operate forced labor schemes, trapping workers in conditions resembling human trafficking. The sentencing sends a clear message that American law enforcement will pursue criminals who target U.S. citizens, regardless of where they hide. Protecting Americans from predatory fraud requires continued vigilance, international cooperation, and holding financial institutions accountable for facilitating illicit transfers.
Watch the report: Chinese Man Sentenced for Role in Scamming $37 Millions
Sources:
- Chinese National Sentenced to Nearly Four Years for Laundering $36.9M in Crypto Scam – Townhall
- Meet Jingliang Su, Chinese man gets 46 months sentence for 36.9M crypto scam – Crypto.news
- Chinese National Sentenced to 46 Months in $36.9M Crypto Money Laundering Case – KuCoin
- California Man Gets 51 Months for Laundering $37M in Cambodia-Based Crypto Scam – XT.com
