I never thought I would become the victim of a multi-million-dollar cryptocurrency scam. But that’s exactly what happened to me — and to so many others — at the hands of Daren Li and his network.
It started innocently enough. Someone reached out to me online. The messages were friendly, professional at first — sometimes even romantic. We spoke daily. They built trust carefully, patiently. I didn’t know I was being groomed.
What I didn’t realize was that this was all part of a calculated conspiracy operating out of scam centers in Cambodia. Daren Li, along with his co-conspirators, orchestrated an international cryptocurrency investment scheme that ultimately stole at least $73.6 million from people like me.
After gaining my trust, they introduced me to what looked like a legitimate cryptocurrency trading platform. The website appeared real — polished, professional, convincing. They told me I could invest and watch my money grow. I believed them.
But it was all fake.
The domains were spoofed. The trading dashboards were fabricated. The profits were an illusion. By the time I understood what was happening, my funds had already been transferred — in cryptocurrency — and were gone.
Later, authorities revealed that at least $59.8 million of the stolen funds had been laundered through U.S. shell companies. We were not dealing with amateurs. This was organized, structured, and deliberate.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, members of the conspiracy contacted victims like me through social media, phone calls, messages, and dating apps. They established fake professional or romantic relationships and often communicated through end-to-end encrypted applications to avoid detection. Some even pretended to be customer service or technical support representatives, demanding additional cryptocurrency payments under false pretenses.
In November 2024, Daren Li pleaded guilty. He admitted his role in this massive cryptocurrency investment conspiracy. But in December 2025, he allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled. He has since been sentenced in absentia — meaning he was sentenced without being present — to the statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release.
He is reportedly the first defendant sentenced who was directly involved in receiving the victims’ funds.
General A. Tysen Duva from the U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division has stated that authorities will work with international law enforcement partners to bring Daren Li back to the United States to serve his full sentence.
Eight of his co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty.
As a victim, I can say this: the damage isn’t just financial. It’s emotional. It’s psychological. It’s the betrayal of trust by someone who deliberately manipulated and exploited it.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli warned that while technology makes global communication easy, it also makes it easier for criminals to prey on innocent people. He urges the public to use extreme caution and to avoid engaging with strangers who solicit money online.
I wish I had known that sooner.
Because behind the polished websites, the smooth conversations, and the promises of financial success, there was only deception — and the calculated actions of Daren Li and his criminal enterprise.