London court sends 'clear message' with guilty ruling for crypto kidnap gang

The five captors of two French cryptocurrency millionaires, who were held for more than two days in an east London flat, have been convicted at Inner London Crown Court. 

Violent physical attacks aimed at crypto holders have seen a recent increase worldwide. In this particular case, the captors were demanding a $150,000 ransom. 

How are crypto millionaires being targeted in wrench attacks?

Prosecuting barrister Heidi Stonecliffe KC stated that the victims may have attracted the criminals’ attention due to their publicly extravagant lifestyles.

Two French cryptocurrency millionaires, both in their 20s, were staying in Kensington when they were kidnapped and held for ransom.

The pair had reportedly just parked their rented black Mercedes in Shadwell when three masked men carrying a gun and a knife forced them back into the car and drove them to a flat in a block called Rathbone East in Canning Town.

The men were bound with tape and cable ties, beaten, and had socks stuffed in their mouths. Within the 52 hours of captivity, boiling water was poured over their bodies, and a cigarette was put out in one victim’s mouth. Both were threatened with having their genitals cut off unless they paid $150,000. They were also starved, and one victim claims he was made to drink toilet water.

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