Michaela
A young Russian couple who run a cryptocurrency business have become the latest victims in a wave of crypto kidnappings, after being abducted and later released in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires following a $43,000 ransom payment in digital currency.
Argentine news outlet La Nación reported that the kidnapping took place on Friday night. Investigators said the Russian couple had accepted a dinner invitation from two Chechen individuals who were staying in a first-floor apartment on Ravignani Street near the corner of Gorriti Street.
Around 11 p.m., the woman managed to call for help from a balcony, drawing the attention of staff at a nearby restaurant who quickly alerted emergency services. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered both victims bound inside the apartment.
When questioned by the police, the victims described the events and identified the two Chechens renting the apartment as their attackers. The Argentine Federal Police (PFA) confirmed that the suspects fled to the United Arab Emirates just hours after the incident. Interpol has launched a manhunt and issued a Red Notice for their capture.
Additionally, sources revealed that the ransom to secure the Russian couple’s release was paid by another Russian national residing in Partido de la Costa. The payment was made in cryptocurrency after direct negotiations with the kidnappers.
The investigation is now being led by the Southern Anti-Kidnapping Division of the PFA.
Wave of Crypto Kidnappings Sparks Global Alarm
This incident is the latest in a growing series of crypto kidnappings, raising increasing concern within the crypto community.
Earlier this week, cryptocurrency investor John Woeltz was formally charged in Manhattan criminal court in connection with the alleged kidnapping and repeated assault of an Italian tourist. Authorities claim the attack was an attempt to force the victim to hand over access to his Bitcoin wallet.
According to reports, Woeltz and two suspected accomplices allegedly detained the tourist, confiscated his electronic devices and passport, and subjected him to escalating abuse over the course of several weeks after he refused to reveal his cryptocurrency password.
Prior to that, in France, armed attackers attempted to abduct the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the CEO and co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange Paymium. The incident took place in Paris, where Noizat’s daughter, her partner, and their child suffered minor injuries. Authorities confirmed that the victims were taken to a hospital and received medical attention following the assault.
The newest incident spotlights ongoing global concerns over the intersection of digital wealth and physical security, as law enforcement agencies adapt to a new era of financially motivated crimes tied to cryptocurrencies.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
