New York Paralegal Blog

Yesterday, October 14, 2025, marked a monumental step in the fight against a new breed of sophisticated global crime. The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against Chen Zhi, the chairman of Cambodia's Prince Holding Group, exposing a terrifying convergence of cryptocurrency fraud and horrific human trafficking. This action isn't just about money; it's about justice for countless victims. The Law: What is "Pig Butchering" and Why is it Illegal? At the heart of this case are federal charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. These serious crimes address the systematic deception and illicit movement of stolen funds. The "pig butchering" scam (known as Sha Zhu Pan) is a particularly insidious form of wire fraud. Here's how it generally works, and why the alleged actions are illegal: Deception (Wire Fraud): Scammers cultivate relationships with victims online, often on dating apps or social media, buildin...

ATLANTA - A 37-year-old Douglasville, Ga., man will spend the rest of his life in prison after he was found guilty of six counts of human trafficking, two counts of aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes and pandering by compulsion.

ATLANTA—JUNA GWENDOLYN BABB, 56, and MICHAEL J. BABB, 54, of Ellenwood, Georgia, pleaded guilty today in federal court to felony offenses related to a scheme to compel the labor of a young woman from the Kingdom of Swaziland in Southern Africa. United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “This case reminds us that modern-day slavery is occurring in our communities. This young woman believed that she was traveling to the United States for a brief visit to help with a wedding. Instead, she was forced to work for the defendants for more than two years. It is especially disturbing that the victim was exploited by a minister and his wife.” In Washington, D.C., Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division said, “The Department is committed to prosecuting individuals who engage in schemes to exploit and compel the labor of vulnerable persons.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Lamkin said, “Human trafficking, while taking on many forms, consists pri...