Three teenagers from the U.S. have been charged with kidnapping, extortion, and stealing crypto assets worth $4 million. This was reported by the local publication 8 News Now.
Law enforcement has arrested two of the alleged criminals, both 16-year-old residents of Florida. It is reported that the court previously recognized the young men as adults. The third participant remains at large and, according to the prosecution, has left the U.S.
The victim contacted law enforcement in November. The applicant stated that he was conducting a cryptocurrency-related event at a venue in downtown Las Vegas. The three kidnappers were waiting for him that same evening in the parking lot near his home.
The victim was forced to sit in the back seat of his own car, had his head covered with a towel, and was told that his father would be killed if he did not comply. After that, the criminals demanded access to the victim's financial accounts. A fourth criminal consulted the kidnappers by phone. As a result, they obtained cryptocurrencies and NFTs worth about $4 million.
According to law enforcement, the victim was taken 100 km across the state line into Nevada. He walked 8 km to the nearest gas station, where he was able to seek help.
It is reported that the three suspects had previously been noted for disorderly conduct at their school in Florida.
The attorneys for the two arrested requested house arrest for their clients. One of the defendants was assigned a bail of $4 million, while the other was released under electronic monitoring conditions.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 2025.
Recall that in May, crypto extortionists were arrested in France for kidnapping the father of their victim.
