US Government Seizes $15B in Bitcoin From Alleged Crypto Scam Ring

    US Government Seizes $15B in Bitcoin From Alleged Crypto Scam Ring
    Above: The image depicts a Bitcoin cryptocurrency representation in Krakow, Poland, taken on Sept. 4, 2025. Image copyright: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images

    The Spin

    Pro-establishment narrative

    Seizing $15 billion in Bitcoin from Chen Zhi's ruthless Prince Group scam dismantles one of the largest fraud empires ever. This action highlights how aggressive U.S. law enforcement can break up forced-labor operations and recover stolen funds. These "pig butchering" schemes, which are often accompanied by violence and torture, demand a zero-tolerance approach. This historic seizure demonstrates a commitment to justice against transnational criminals who exploit victims around the world. Celebrating this achievement by the DOJ and FBI emphasizes that strong crackdowns protect Americans from crypto criminals.

    Establishment-critical narrative

    Snatching $15 billion in Bitcoin barely scratches the surface of pig butchering scams while perpetrators rake in tens of billions yearly. This epidemic of crypto fraud devouring life savings screams for ironclad global regulations on digital currencies to starve out these human trafficking networks at their core. Relying on occasional busts falls short — demanding sweeping controls on unregulated crypto crime.

    Metaculus Prediction


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    © 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.1

    © 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

    All rights reserved.

    Version 6.17.1