Phone farm in evidence in case of crypto 'pig farming.' US Justice Department

Federal prosecutors seized $15 billion in cryptocurrency from an investment scheme known as “pig butchering” that they allege emanated from forced labor camps in Cambodia.

The Justice Department said it’s the largest forfeiture action in its history.

Prosecutors unsealed an indictment Tuesday charging Chen Zhi, a Chinese émigré who holds several passports and built the Cambodia-based Prince Group, one of that country’s largest conglomerates, charging him with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.

Chen remains at large.

In a related action, the Treasury Department sanctioned dozens of affiliates of the Prince Group and designated them as criminal organizations.

The crackdown comes as inv

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