A volunteer moderator of a cryptocurrency forum has gone into hiding with his family after surviving an alleged kidnapping attempt, according to La Presse.
Kidnap Attempt
The suspects reportedly targeted the man, believing he held millions in Bitcoin. Instead, he claims his holdings were closer to $10,000. The incident began in early November when two masked men approached his home. Days later, while driving his daughter to daycare, he noticed hooded individuals in a black vehicle near his residence.
Charges and Arrests
After a confrontation, four suspects were arrested. Among them were two minors who allegedly planned to kidnap and torture the man to obtain his cryptocurrency wallet password. The suspects, who have no prior criminal record, were charged with conspiracy to kidnap and firearm offenses. They were released on house arrest pending trial, scheduled for March. Police advised the man to relocate due to connections between the suspects and organized crime.
Rising Crime in Crypto Sphere
This isn't the first high-security crypto-related incident in Canada. Last November, the body of 25-year-old cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi, missing since June, was found in Montreal's Île-de-la-Visitation Park. Also in November, Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi, was abducted in downtown Toronto and later released after a $1 million ransom was paid electronically.
These incidents highlight the increasing risks and threats in the cryptocurrency sphere, drawing attention to the safety concerns within the crypto community.
