Daren Li, 41, a dual citizen of China and St. Kitts and Nevis, and a resident of China, Cambodia, and the United Arab Emirates, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

“Financial criminals and the money launderers who enable them wreak untold harm, ruining lives in the process,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Investors should be diligent and on guard against anyone offering quick riches via new, exotic investments. A healthy dose of skepticism could prevent financial ruin down the road.”

According to court documents, Li admitted that he conspired with others to launder funds obtained from victims through cryptocurrency scams and related fraud. In furtherance of the conspiracy, he communicated with his co-conspirators through encrypted messaging services.

To conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the fraudulently obtained victim funds, Li would instruct co-conspirators to open U.S. bank accounts established on behalf of shell companies and would monitor the receipt and execution of interstate and international wire transfers of victim funds. Li and other co-conspirators received victim funds in financial accounts they controlled, and then monitor the conversion of victim funds to virtual currency, specifically Tether (USDT), and the subsequent distribution of that virtual currency to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by Li and his co-conspirators.

Li admitted that at least $73.6 million in victim funds were directly deposited into bank accounts associated with him and his co-conspirators, including at least $59.8 million deposited from U.S. shell companies that laundered victim proceeds.

“Daren Li and his co-conspirators laundered over $73 million from the victims of cryptocurrency investment scams, using a web of shell companies and international bank accounts,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Although Li committed this offense from outside the United States, he was not beyond the reach of the Justice Department. Today’s plea reflects our ongoing commitment to working with our domestic and international partners to hold accountable anyone responsible for cryptocurrency investment fraud against U.S. victims — wherever the perpetrators are located.”

“This investigation demonstrates how domestic and international partnerships are vital to successfully combatting transnational crime,” said Acting Assistant Director of Investigations Michael Ball of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS).

Li was arrested on April 12 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and subsequently transported to Los Angeles.

United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner scheduled a March 3, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time Li will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.