Police in Linwu County, Hunan province, detained two suspects over a virtual-currency investment scam that caused a victim to lose approximately 30,000 yuan. The suspects allegedly used social platforms and pig-butchering tactics, promising guaranteed profits before directing the victim to download an application, buy USDT and exchange it for a manipulated token controlled by upstream operators. The token’s price was artificially inflated to create the appearance of gains, after which the suspects prompted further deposits and dumped the asset, reducing its value to zero. Li was arrested on Aug. 19, while Lei, suspected of collecting illicit funds, was detained on Sept. 17. The investigation remains ongoing.