Three teenagers from Florida face criminal charges related to the kidnapping of a cryptocurrency investor and stealing the equivalent of $4 million in digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
According to a report by '8 News Now', the incident occurred last November when the victim was attacked outside his residence in Las Vegas after attending an event related to cryptocurrencies.
The victim was kidnapped at gunpoint by three teenagers, namely 'Bilal Ashraf', 'Austin Fletcher', and a third suspect whose identity has not been disclosed.
The victim was forced to get into the perpetrators' car, where he was tied up and had a towel placed over his head, receiving direct death threats to him and his father unless he complied with their orders.
According to his statement, the attackers received instructions from a fourth party who was directing them remotely via loudspeaker.
The victim was taken to a remote area known as 'White Hills' in Arizona, over 70 miles from the original incident site.
There, he was forced to provide login information to his digital accounts, from which assets valued at approximately $4 million were transferred.
After the robbery was carried out, the victim was left in the desert and managed to walk five miles until he reached a gas station where he asked for help.
Investigations show that one of the suspects' cars was tracked from Florida to Nevada, passing through key locations, including the victim's residence.
A firearm linked to one of the suspects' relatives was also found in Mississippi, matching the weapon visible in social media posts.
The suspects, who are 16 years old and residents of Pasco County, Florida, face charges of kidnapping, robbery, and extortion.
One of them, whose identity has not been revealed, left the country according to the claim.
Official documents indicate behavioral records of these teenagers in their schools, which included physical assaults and aggressive verbal behaviors.
In a hearing held by the Las Vegas court, 'Austin Fletcher's' bail was set at $4 million, while 'Bilal Ashraf' was released under electronic monitoring conditions.
This incident highlights the rise of crimes directed against cryptocurrency investors, who have become targets for kidnapping and extortion.
Similar incidents have occurred both within the United States and abroad, including a break-in at the home of a prominent figure in Texas, as well as three kidnapping cases in France this year alone, targeting well-known figures in the cryptocurrency sector.
Security agencies around the world warn of the increasing targeting of individuals with significant digital holdings, emphasizing the need for stricter personal security measures.
