Fuzhou Cangshan District People's Procuratorate disclosed that a man stole 4 Bitcoins from others and profited about 900k yuan, and was sentenced by the court to 12 years and 7 months in prison and fined 300k yuan for theft, with the second instance maintaining the original verdict. The case shows that Wang entrusted Lin to cash out the Bitcoin, and after Lin stole the wallet key, he transferred the 4 Bitcoins into his own account and sold them for profit. Prosecutors stated that although virtual currencies are not legal tender, they have value, are controllable, and transferable, which are characteristics of property under criminal law, and related infringement acts will also be subject to criminal liability.

MarsBitNews

2026-05-23 10:23:46

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Mars Finance News: The People’s Procuratorate of Cangshan District, Fuzhou City, disclosed that a man was sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 12 years and 7 months for theft of 4 Bitcoins and illegally profiting about 900,000 yuan, and was also fined 300,000 yuan. On appeal, the court upheld the original judgment. The case shows that at the end of 2020, Wang entrusted Lin to assist in converting the Bitcoins he held into cash. During Lin’s access to Wang’s Bitcoin wallet hard drive and computer, Lin stole the wallet’s “private key” and related data, transferred the 4 Bitcoins into his own name, and then sold them one after another for profit. In 2024, after Wang discovered that his assets were abnormal, he reported the case. Lin was subsequently arrested. The procuratorial authorities said that although current regulations clearly state that virtual currencies do not have the status of legal tender, Bitcoin has value, can be managed, and is transferable, and it meets the general characteristics of “property” under the Criminal Law, thus falling under the scope of property-related crimes. The relevant infringement conduct will also be investigated for criminal liability.

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TheBluePeony'sProphecy

· 2h ago

This case serves as a wake-up call to everyone holding custodial private keys.

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ReflectiveKey

· 4h ago

Having the key means having the money; you really can't take on the job of helping others cash out casually.

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BridgeHopRanger

· 4h ago

12 years and 7 months, this sentence is heavier than many traditional thefts, and the court recognized BTC as property.

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GateUser-fb035825

· 4h ago

The second instance upheld the original verdict, indicating that judicial authorities have a very consistent understanding of the nature of virtual property.

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DaoSidekick

· 4h ago

The result of entrusted liquidation was reversed, and the risk of trading with acquaintances in the crypto circle is too high.

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GateUser-4e0e3bcf

· 4h ago

900k exchanged over 12 years, averaging only two hundred yuan a day, huge loss

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QueuePosition

· 4h ago

The theft in 2020 was only discovered in 2024; on-chain tracking capabilities are getting stronger and stronger.

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Man steals 4 BTC, sentenced to 12 years and 7 months; Fuzhou court finds Bitcoin theft constitutes theft crime

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