Key Takeaways:
A Russian couple engaged in cryptocurrency activities was abducted in Buenos Aires and subsequently freed after a ransom was paid.
The kidnappers primarily sought a ransom of $43,000 in Bitcoin, which was successfully delivered by a third Russian individual.
The Argentine Federal Police are currently working with Interpol to arrange the extradition of the alleged culprits.
A Russian couple involved in the cryptocurrency sector experienced a harrowing kidnapping in Buenos Aires, only to be rescued following the payment of a ransom amounting to $43,000 in Bitcoin. The incident unfolded in the Palermo district on the evening of May 23, triggering an extensive international investigation.
Russian Couple Rescued After Bitcoin Ransom Paid
Reports from Argentine media outlet La Nación indicate that the couple had planned to meet two Russian nationals for dinner at an apartment on Ravignani Street, following a previous encounter at a local bar. They arrived at the location in question around 11 p.m., only to be held captive by the two men, who were Chechen nationals.
During their captivity, the 30-year-old woman managed to alert passersby by shouting for help from the apartment’s balcony. Observant employees at a nearby restaurant quickly informed the authorities, prompting a swift response from police.
When officers arrived, they found both the woman and her 27-year-old partner restrained inside the apartment. The couple informed officers that they had been kidnapped during the dinner meeting, and the suspects were demanding a ransom in cryptocurrency.
Following negotiations, the ransom of $43,000 was paid by another Russian national residing in Partido de la Costa, facilitating the couple’s release shortly thereafter.
Subsequent investigations revealed that both suspects had already fled Argentina. The Argentine Federal Police confirmed that they boarded a flight from Ezeiza International Airport to the United Arab Emirates within hours of the incident. In response, Interpol has issued red notices for the two men.
The case is under the purview of the Southern Anti-Kidnapping Department of the Argentine Federal Police, with oversight from Federal Judge María Romilda Servini. The judge has initiated international arrest warrants while collaborating with Interpol for the suspects’ extradition.
If apprehended and returned to Argentina, the suspects could face prison sentences ranging from 8 to 15 years. Authorities speculate that the victims’ connection to cryptocurrency activities may have made them attractive targets for this crime.
A source familiar with the investigation noted, “This wasn’t a random act. The attackers likely knew the couple had access to digital assets and exploited that knowledge.” An ongoing investigation continues as Argentine officials coordinate with global law enforcement in the search for the suspects.
Rising Trend of Crypto-Related Kidnappings in Europe and the U.S.
This kidnapping incident reflects a disturbing trend, as the number of violent crimes involving cryptocurrency executives continues to increase worldwide.
In January, David Balland, a co-founder of Ledger, was kidnapped alongside his wife in central France. The armed assailants reportedly caused him severe harm and made ransom demands to his business partner through a video.
Moreover, just weeks ago, French police conducted a nighttime operation to rescue the father of a crypto entrepreneur who had been held hostage for two days in an Airbnb. Armed kidnappers had initially abducted him in Paris, demanding up to €7 million in cryptocurrency, and sent a mutilated video to the victim’s son. Law enforcement arrested five suspects during the operation.
The trend of violence extends beyond Europe. In Las Vegas, three Florida teenagers allegedly kidnapped a man after a cryptocurrency event, threatening him with a gun and forcing him into the desert to extract access from his digital wallets. He was robbed of $4 million and left stranded miles from help.
In a recent series of coordinated raids across Paris, French authorities apprehended more than a dozen suspects, including minors, linked to a kidnapping network targeting crypto entrepreneurs and their families. Investigators believe these suspects are part of a broader criminal organization responsible for numerous abduction attempts.
As a result of the escalating threat, private security firms have reported a growing demand for personal protection among professionals in the cryptocurrency sector. In light of the alarming rise in kidnapping incidents, French officials have implemented emergency measures, offering security briefings and direct access to law enforcement for at-risk individuals.
The post Russian Crypto Couple Rescued After $43,000 Bitcoin Kidnapping – Suspects Flee to UAE as Interpol Issues Red Notice appeared first on Finance Newso.
