Woman jailed following five-year cryptocurrency investigation

A woman has been jailed following a five-year cryptocurrency investigation led by the Met's specialist economic crime officers.

Jian Wen,42, (25.12.81), of Parade Mansions, Hendon, was sentenced to six years and eight months' imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, 22 May, for entering into or becoming concerned in a money laundering arrangement.

Wen’s conviction relates to a cryptocurrency wallet that contained 150 Bitcoin, which at the relevant time had a value of £1.7million.

Commander Steve Clayman, whose team led the investigation, said:

“Thanks to the hard work and perseverance of highly skilled detectives in the Met, we have been able to disrupt a sophisticated economic crime operation – the sheer scale of which demonstrates how international criminals seek to exploit cryptocurrency for illegal purposes.

“Our team has helped secure justice and has persevered to trace this Bitcoin and identify the criminality it was linked to."

This landmark investigation demonstrates the work being undertaken by officers and staff, who are using innovative technology to tackle criminal activity linked to serious and organised crime as the Met builds A New Met for London.