In Estepona, Costa del Sol, Spanish police arrested three Britons for kidnapping a British crypto broker. The victim's quick thinking and a coordinated police response led to the suspects' capture.
Crypto Broker Kidnapping and Ransom Demand
The incident began when the broker met the group in Marbella and accepted their invitation for drinks at an apartment in Estepona. The situation escalated when the men held him against his will and demanded €30,000 in cryptocurrency. The kidnappers threatened the broker, demanding access to his clients’ crypto wallets.
Escape and Arrest of Kidnappers
The broker managed to contact a friend in London by pretending to make a phone call to share half of a crypto wallet access code. Speaking in Hindi, he told his friend he was being held captive, who then alerted the victim's mother, who contacted law enforcement.
As police closed in, the broker saw an opportunity to escape when one of his captors was distracted by his mobile phone. He jumped from the third-floor balcony, a drop of over 30 feet, and broke his ankles. Despite his injuries, he managed to get away, and police apprehended the three men as they attempted to flee in an Audi.
Discovered Evidence and Current Status
Authorities discovered two guns, three knives, about €10,000 in cash, a money counting machine, two designer watches, and 25 grams of pink cocaine in the apartment. The three men face charges of kidnapping, causing bodily harm, membership in a criminal organization, unlawful weapons possession, and drug trafficking. They have been remanded to prison. Police believe the suspects targeted the broker after learning about his profession and access to cryptocurrency.
The arrests in Estepona highlight the dangers faced by professionals in the cryptocurrency industry. The case continues, with international police cooperation playing a key role in rescuing the victim.
