In one of the most sensational cases in the cryptocurrency world, crypto investors William Duplessis, 33, and John Woltz, 37, have been accused of kidnapping and torturing Italian businessman Michael Valentino Teofrasto Cartoran, 28, in an attempt to steal the password to his digital wallet containing an estimated $30 million in Bitcoin.
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🏙️ Story background
Cartoran arrived in New York in early May 2025, having been lured by Woltz and Duplessis, with whom he had a previous business relationship. On May 6, he was kidnapped and held captive in a luxurious eight-bedroom mansion in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, where he was brutally tortured for 17 days.
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🔪 Torture details
During his detention, Karturan was subjected to electric shocks, cut with a saw, forced to smoke cocaine, and threatened with being thrown off the roof of a building. He was also suspended by his feet from the top of a building in an attempt to force him to reveal his digital wallet password. On May 23, Karturan managed to escape, barefoot and covered in blood, and reported the incident to a traffic police officer.
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Investigations and arrests
Woltz was arrested on May 23, while Duplessis surrendered to police on May 27. They were charged with kidnapping, assault, false imprisonment, and illegal possession of weapons. During a search of the home, police found weapons, body armor, drugs, and Polaroid photos showing Carteran under threat.
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🚨 Repercussions of the case
This case sparked widespread debate about the risks of digital wealth and related crimes. Two New York Police Department officers were also placed under investigation after it emerged they were providing private security services at the home where the incident occurred.