Florida Teens Face Adult Charges After $4M Crypto Heist and Kidnapping Shocker

From crypto to crime: Two 16-year-olds accused of abducting a man and stealing millions in digital assets.

Three Florida teenagers are facing serious adult charges after allegedly kidnapping a Las Vegas man and stealing over $4 million in cryptocurrency and NFTs.

The suspects, Belal Ashraf and Austin Fletcher, both 16, along with a third unidentified teen, are accused of luring the victim, forcing him into a vehicle, and threatening his life to gain access to his digital wallets. According to court records, the teens told the man:

“Comply, and you’ll live. Refuse, and we’ll kill your dad.”

The terrifying incident reportedly occurred after the victim returned from hosting a crypto event in November. The suspects allegedly drove him across state lines into White Hills, Arizona, before dumping him in the desert. The victim then walked five miles to a gas station to call for help.

Authorities revealed during a May 9 hearing that one of the teens has since fled the country, raising even more alarm.

Due to the severity of the crime, Ashraf and Fletcher have been certified to be tried as adults. Fletcher remains in custody on a $4 million bail, while Ashraf was released with electronic monitoring.

With digital crime on the rise, this case is a chilling reminder that the crypto world isn't immune to real-world dangers—and that even teenagers can orchestrate multi-million dollar crimes.