Billionaire Chinaman Busted for Straw Donor Scheme

Central Islip, NY – In a brazen display of disregard for the law, Hui Qin, a 55-year-old billionaire from China, was sentenced to 7 months in prison for his role in a straw donor scheme and immigration fraud. Qin, who was listed on Forbes Magazine’s List of Billionaires, operated SMI Culture, a Hong Kong-based entertainment entity, but his true talents lay in defrauding the U.S. political and immigration systems.

Qin was arrested on October 2, 2023, and has been incarcerated ever since. He pleaded guilty to the charges in March 2024 and agreed to abandon his fraudulently obtained LPR status and be removed from the United States immediately after sentencing. Qin’s scheme involved making campaign contributions in the names of others, causing the campaign committees to file false contribution reports with the Federal Election Commission in 2022. The straw donors made approximately $11,600 in contributions on Qin’s behalf.

“Qin’s brazen flouting of our political and immigration systems, and his defrauding government agencies resulted in a felony conviction, prison sentence and today, his removal from the United States,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Qin has learned a lesson in American civics the hard way, that no one is above the law.”

Qin’s corruption went beyond the straw donor scheme. He also produced a false identification document and misrepresented himself on documents to obtain a false Visa. He even lived in a $5 million Manhattan apartment with illegitimate status. It was through law enforcement partnerships and good police work that Qin was held accountable for behaving like he was above the law.

The FBI, IRS-CI, and HSI New York were instrumental in bringing Qin to justice. “By flouting laws vital to the sanctity of the federal election and immigration systems, the defendant threatened not only the community’s safety, but the democratic foundation on which the United States of America was established,” stated HSI New York Special Agent-in-Charge Ivan J. Arvelo.

Qin’s sentencing is a stark reminder that no one is above the law, not even a billionaire from China. His removal from the United States is a welcome development, but it should serve as a warning to others who would seek to exploit our system for their own gain. Qin’s actions were a betrayal of the trust placed in him, and he will now face the consequences of his actions.”