Deep Dive
Why did the Bitcoin case in the UK attract widespread attention in China?
The case involved over 61,000 Bitcoins seized by UK police, and the owner, Qian Zhimin, was a Chinese woman previously investigated in China for a 43 billion yuan illegal fundraising scheme through her company, Lantian Gerui, which defrauded over 120,000 investors.
What was the main strategy used by Qian Zhimin to attract investors?
Qian Zhimin used a combination of Bitcoin, nationalistic rhetoric, and promises of high returns to attract investors. She framed her company's goals around Bitcoin and technological innovation, linking them to China's future success in global competition.
How did Qian Zhimin's company, Lantian Gerui, operate its Bitcoin business?
Lantian Gerui sold investment products tied to Bitcoin mining. Investors could buy mining machines, either keeping them or leaving them with the company to mine Bitcoin. The company promised daily dividends and returns of up to three times the initial investment over a few years.
What role did government collaboration play in Lantian Gerui's success?
Lantian Gerui's collaboration with the Baodi District government in Tianjin, which was publicized in local news, gave the company credibility. Investors saw this as government endorsement, which significantly boosted their trust and willingness to invest.
How did investors realize that Lantian Gerui was a scam?
Investors began to suspect something was wrong when daily dividends stopped in July 2017. Initially, company leaders claimed delays were due to changes in national financial policies, but as payments remained halted, it became clear the company had collapsed.
What happened to Qian Zhimin after Lantian Gerui collapsed?
After the collapse, Qian Zhimin fled to Southeast Asia and later to the UK under a false identity. In the UK, she was involved in a Bitcoin money laundering case, leading to her arrest and the seizure of over 61,000 Bitcoins.
What are the current efforts to recover the lost funds from Lantian Gerui investors?
Investors are pursuing legal actions, including bankruptcy liquidation applications in the UK, to recover some of the lost funds. However, the process is complex and uncertain, with ongoing legal proceedings and no clear timeline for resolution.
What was the impact of Lantian Gerui's collapse on its investors?
Many investors faced severe financial losses, with some losing millions of yuan. Some were forced into debt, lost their businesses, or had to take on menial jobs to repay debts. The collapse left many in dire financial and emotional distress.
- 蓝天格锐公司利用比特币投资为幌子进行非法集资
- 公司承诺高额回报吸引投资者
- 投资人对公司背景缺乏了解
- 公司利用与政府合作以及媒体宣传营造信任感
Shownotes Transcript
主播 | 魏倩，《三联生活周刊》主任记者嘉宾 | 李晓洁，《三联生活周刊》主任记者，《一个“女财神”的消失与重现)》作者
2024年5月，英国查处了一起大规模的加密货币洗钱案，该案中，警方查获逾6.1万枚比特币。这起发生在英国的经济犯罪，却在国内引起了广泛讨论：6.1万枚比特币的所有者，是一位名叫钱志敏的中国女性。早在2017年年底，她就被天津警方以涉非法吸储案的罪名立案侦查，涉案金额达430亿元。这些资金，都是2014年4月至2017年8月间，她创立的蓝天格锐公司向12万名集资参与人非法吸收的钱款。
由钱志敏一手打造的蓝天格锐，曾被称作“能为老百姓赚钱的好公司”，其宣传语是，“你给格锐三年时间，格锐给你三世富贵”，当时化名“花花”的钱志敏，也被投资者视作无所不能的“女财神”。
究竟是怎样一家公司？“花花”其人有着怎样的“人格魅力”，让投资者可以放心地投下大笔资金？她又是如何在短短三年内，打造出一场滴水不漏的完美骗局？而对于深陷其中的受害者，是否还有途径去挽回损失？
近期，《三联生活周刊》记者李晓洁采访了20余位蓝天格锐的“投资人”。本期节目，我们邀请晓洁来为我们讲述“花花”其人其事，以及这件涉及400多亿资金的吸储大案背后，她所了解到的诸多细节。
【时间轴】
04:14 与“花花”的第一次见面：聊了2个小时，当场投了20万
08:17 蓝天格锐公司起家背景：当比特币开始暴涨
12:36 在比特币矿场，投资人们都看到了什么？
15:45 蓝天格锐公司究竟怎么做比特币生意？
19:23 投资“三要素”：比特币、智能养老与家国情怀
21:30 二级制之下的三级分销
25:10 追投要素之一：与政府的合作都上电视了，有啥不放心的？
30:19 追投要素之二：每天都有分红到账，为啥不继续？
35:16 挂在脖子上的“小蓝”空气净化器
39:49 总能紧跟时事热点：“你们投下的每一分钱，都在研发利国利民的好产品”
46:42 相似的骗局：从卖行车记录仪、灵芝孢子粉到新三板上市
53:24 庞大骗局背后的“花花”，为何如此神秘？
64:04 从什么时候开始，投资者意识到不对劲了？
69:10 外逃之后的“花花”，如何在英国开启另一场骗局？
74:25 被骗了的钱，还追的回来吗？
77:30 背上巨额债务的投资人们，如今过得怎么样？
81:20 如何定罪：“非法吸收公民存款”还是“集资诈骗”？
补充信息：10月22日，英国皇家检查署（CPS）发布一则“致蓝天格锐欺诈案受害者的通知”，通知中提到，“英国公共检察署署长（DPP）已启动民事追偿程序”，一位参与庭审的律师告诉本刊，这项通知表明，国内蓝天格锐投资受害人可以聘请法律顾问，向英国高等法院提出正式书面申请。“解决了该案在英国法律项目下的问题后，英国与中国官方的合作有可能会展开。”
【延伸推荐】
《英国最大比特币洗钱案中的底层华人：百亿诈骗赃款与“逆袭人生”)》
——————编辑 / 一丁剪辑 / 译丹
《现场！现场！)》是一档由《三联生活周刊》编辑部记者主理的，关注社会新闻现场的播客。
在以下渠道均可收听我们的节目：
三联中读APP) | 小宇宙 | 喜马拉雅 | 苹果播客 | 网易云音乐
【我们还有这些播客】
Talk三联 )|苗师傅·天真与经验)丨 中场时间) | 我有一个朋友·董晨宇) | 多一种生活) | 岁时茶山记) | 项飙·你好陌生人) | 孩子，你的情绪我们在乎) | “三联·大案追踪”有声剧)
如果你喜欢我们的节目，欢迎点赞支持，或者把我们的节目推荐给更多的朋友～
