The U.S. Department of Justice has brought renewed attention to the largest bitcoin confiscation case in history, tied to crypto fraud, human trafficking, and organized crime.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reignited attention on the largest bitcoin seizure case ever recorded, following new reporting on international operations against so-called “scam compounds.” The case was first announced on October 14, 2025, when prosecutors filed criminal charges against Cambodian national Chen Zhi, also known as Vincent, and lodged a civil forfeiture complaint. The DOJ described its action as “the largest forfeiture case in the history of the Department of Justice.”
Chen Zhi is accused of founding and leading the Prince Holding Group, a Cambodia-based conglomerate. Federal prosecutors indicted him in Brooklyn on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The civil forfeiture complaint covers approximately 127,271 BTC, equivalent to around $15 billion at the time of the announcement, held in U.S. custody. This represents an absolute record for the DOJ in terms of the value of assets claimed.
Running parallel to the Chen Zhi case, the FBI conducted Operation Haochen, targeting scammer Tai Chang located in Kyaukhat, Myanmar, in territory controlled by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) — an armed militia with alleged ties to Chinese organized crime, already sanctioned by U.S. authorities. The operation led to the seizure of approximately $30 million linked to Tai Chang and other related compounds. The FBI also collaborated with Starlink, obtaining geolocation data that allowed investigators to identify satellite terminals used to support fraudulent operations in Myanmar: over 7,000 terminals were suspended as part of this effort.
Operation Blackout served as the FBI’s umbrella campaign against scam operators active across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with actions involving Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. FBI Director Kash Patel stated: “We helped free nearly 2,000 trafficked workers, shut down over $8 billion in scam compound fraud, and arrested nearly 300 individuals.”
The FBI also cited Operation Level Up, a victim protection initiative launched alongside the U.S. Secret Service to identify and notify victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud. The program contacted 8,935 potential victims and prevented an estimated $562.7 million in losses. In a separate action announced in April, the DOJ’s Scam Center Strike Force indicted two Chinese nationals, seized a Telegram channel used to recruit workers into the compounds, and took control of 503 fraudulent investment websites.
