Daren Li Sentenced in Absentia for $73M Pig-Butchering Crypto Laundering Scheme
A U.S. federal court sentenced Daren Li (42), a dual citizen of China and St. Kitts and Nevis, to 20 years in prison in absentia for conspiring to launder proceeds from an international “pig butchering” cryptocurrency investment/romance-baiting fraud that stole more than $73 million from victims. Li pleaded guilty in November 2024 and admitted that at least $73.6 million in victim funds was deposited into accounts controlled by his group, with a significant portion routed through U.S.-based shell companies; the operation was tied to scam centers in Cambodia and relied on a network of money launderers to move funds through U.S. bank accounts and onward to domestic/international accounts and crypto platforms to obscure origins.
Li was arrested in April 2024 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, but fled before sentencing in December 2025 after cutting off his ankle monitor; U.S. authorities have not publicly confirmed his current whereabouts and indicated they will work with international partners to return him to serve the sentence. The court also imposed three years of supervised release following imprisonment, and reporting noted that multiple co-conspirators have pleaded guilty, with Li described as the first sentenced defendant directly involved in receiving victim funds.
Timeline
Feb 10, 2026
U.S. court sentences Li in absentia to 20 years in prison
A U.S. federal court sentenced Daren Li in absentia to 20 years in prison for conspiring to launder proceeds from Cambodia-based pig-butchering scams. Prosecutors said the operation stole over $73 million from victims and used shell companies, U.S. bank accounts, offshore transfers, and cryptocurrency conversions to hide the funds' origins.
Dec 1, 2025
Li cuts off ankle monitor and flees before sentencing
Before sentencing, Li removed his electronic monitoring device and became a fugitive, leading to his later sentencing in absentia. Reports consistently place his flight in December 2025, though one source appears to conflict on the year.
Nov 12, 2024
Li pleads guilty to laundering proceeds of $73M crypto scam
Daren Li pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder proceeds from an international pig-butchering scheme that stole more than $73 million from victims. He admitted victim funds were funneled through U.S. shell-company bank accounts and then moved onward through other accounts and cryptocurrency platforms.
Apr 12, 2024
Daren Li arrested at Atlanta airport in pig-butchering probe
U.S. authorities arrested Daren Li at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as part of an investigation into laundering proceeds from Cambodia-linked cryptocurrency investment scams. The investigation involved the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and international partners.
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