To get his Bitcoin: US crypto investor allegedly tortured Italian man
An Italian tourist in New York has probably escaped a week-long ordeal. A former business partner wanted his Bitcoin – by any means necessary.
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In New York, a cryptocurrency investor is said to have kidnapped an Italian tourist and tortured him for weeks to obtain his Bitcoin. This was reported by NBC News, citing law enforcement authorities and a criminal complaint. The 37-year-old is accused of holding the 28-year-old Italian man in a Manhattan apartment since May 6. Together with an accomplice, he is said to have taken his electronic devices, tortured him and threatened him with death to obtain the password for his Bitcoin wallet. After the victim was able to escape and inform the police, the suspected main perpetrator and later a suspected accomplice were arrested.
As NBC News adds, citing law enforcement authorities, the three people are said to have been doing business together for years. After the kidnapping, the two suspects are said to have tried just about every means possible to get hold of their partner's Bitcoin. The news site writes that he was allegedly hung over a balcony on the fifth floor. In addition, the two allegedly not only threatened to kill him themselves, they also claimed to have murdered his family. They allegedly beat him, gave him electric shocks and tied an Apple AirTag around him to stop him from trying to escape. The victim is now in hospital.
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According to the report, the alleged main perpetrator is said to have assets of around 100 million US dollars, while the victim is said to have assets of 30 million US dollars. Polaroid photos allegedly showing the torture were found in the building where it is said to have taken place. Tools of torture and a firearm were also seized. The case now joins a whole series of sometimes bloody crimes in connection with cryptocurrencies. In France in particular, several people involved in cryptocurrencies are said to have been kidnapped and blackmailed in recent months – and ultimately robbed of their crypto assets and a finger.
(mho)
