The year 2024 saw a dramatic rise in the value of cryptocurrencies, with bitcoin hitting an all-time high of $108,135. However, this meteoric growth has also led to a worrying increase in kidnappings and extortion targeting crypto traders and investors.
Bitcoin: Investors targeted by criminals
In France, a particularly alarming incident occurred on January 1, 2025. Police rescued a 56-year-old man found tied up in the trunk of a car in Le Mans. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom from his son, a Dubai-based crypto influencer.
In Pakistan, another case was reported on December 25, 2024, where Mohammed Arsalan, a local crypto trader, was kidnapped in Karachi. The kidnappers, including an officer from the Counter-Terrorism Department, forced Arsalan to transfer $340,000 through his Binance account before releasing him near the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
In Australia, a member of the Saudi royal family was lured into a trap via a dating app. Catherine Colivas, a 24-year-old woman, lured the victim to her home, where three men, including her boyfriend, tied him up and threatened to cut off his fingers if he did not transfer $40,000 in bitcoin.
Canada was not spared either. Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi, a Canadian crypto exchange, was kidnapped in the middle of downtown Toronto during rush hour on November 6, 2024. He was released after a $1 million ransom was paid electronically. dollars.
What will it be in 2025?
In 2025, incidents of kidnapping and extortion linked to cryptocurrencies could increase, especially with optimistic forecasts for the BTC. Investors should therefore be extra careful and take enhanced security measures to protect themselves and their assets.
These incidents highlight the growing risks facing crypto traders and investors as the sector grows. Soaring bitcoin prices are attracting criminals looking to profit from this new wealth. Authorities around the world now face a daunting challenge in protecting individuals involved in this growing sector.
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