柬埔寨电诈头目价值千亿比特币被美国没收？“栽”在这一关键环节…

Core Points - The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a historic criminal case against Chen Zhi, founder of the Prince Holding Group, and has seized 127,271 bitcoins valued at approximately $15 billion, marking the largest cryptocurrency seizure in U.S. history [1][20][24] - The seized bitcoins were stored in a private cold wallet controlled by Chen Zhi, rather than on an exchange, raising questions about the decentralization of cryptocurrencies [3][20] - The Prince Holding Group is accused of being one of Asia's largest transnational fraud organizations, operating call center scams that have defrauded victims globally [6][12] Company Overview - Prince Holding Group, based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, ostensibly engages in real estate, finance, and consumer businesses, but is alleged to be involved in extensive fraudulent activities [6][12] - The group has established at least ten scam centers across Cambodia, disguised as technology parks or cross-border e-commerce bases, equipped with training centers for new employees on how to conduct scams [12][15] Fraud Mechanism - The scams primarily involve a "pig butchering" scheme, where fraudsters build trust with victims over time before introducing fake investment opportunities [8][10] - Victims are lured into downloading fraudulent trading applications that appear legitimate, leading to significant financial losses when they attempt to withdraw funds [10][17] Financial Impact - From 2020 to 2024, "pig butchering" scams are estimated to have caused over $75 billion in global losses, with a significant portion of the funds funneled into Southeast Asian scam operations [17] - The U.S. authorities have linked the proceeds of these scams to luxury purchases, including real estate and high-value art, indicating the scale of the financial operations [19] Legal Proceedings - Chen Zhi faces charges of conspiracy to commit telecommunications fraud and money laundering, with potential sentences of up to 40 years if convicted [19] - The U.S. has exercised its jurisdiction over the case due to American victims being involved, highlighting the international reach of the fraud and the U.S. government's commitment to combating such crimes [26]