Kidnapping Cases in the Crypto Industry
As the cryptocurrency sector continues to expand, participants in the industry are increasingly becoming targets of criminal activities, including hacking attempts, rug pulls, and even threats to their lives. One shocking example is the recent kidnapping of a crypto miner in Izhevsk, Russia.
A criminal gang targeted a 23-year-old cryptocurrency miner, forcibly taking him from his yard and driving away in a vehicle registered to a retiree from Perm on December 25. The kidnappers, one of whom was acquainted with the victim, then contacted the victim’s brother through Telegram, demanding a ransom of 15 million rubles (approximately $166,000). They threatened to plant drugs on the victim and hand him over to the police if the ransom was not paid.
Fortunately, law enforcement authorities acted swiftly and managed to locate and apprehend the kidnappers. The perpetrators already had previous criminal records for robbery and extortion and now face up to 12 years in prison.
Previous Incidents
This incident is not an isolated case within the crypto industry. In December of last year, Aiden Pleterski, known as Ontario’s ‘crypto king,’ was kidnapped, forcibly confined, and assaulted by a group of five individuals.
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao recently revealed that criminals had abducted executives from one of the exchange’s clients and forced them to empty their crypto wallets. This resulted in a loss of around $12.5 million. However, Binance managed to freeze approximately $11.8 million of the stolen funds.
In another tragic incident, John Forsyth, an ER doctor and crypto millionaire, went missing and was later found dead in the Missouri Ozarks. According to his family, a mutual friend claimed that Forsyth had been kidnapped and released earlier in February 2022, in a case allegedly related to cryptocurrency.
Hot Take: Ensuring Personal Security in the Crypto Industry
The increasing incidents of kidnapping and threats within the crypto industry highlight the need for individuals to prioritize their personal security. As a crypto reader, it is crucial for you to take precautions such as maintaining privacy, being cautious about sharing personal information, and implementing strong security measures for your digital assets. Stay informed about potential risks and stay vigilant to protect yourself from criminal activities targeting the crypto sector.
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