Swiss Investor to Surrender in New York Crypto Kidnapping Case

Binance News · 2025-05-27T02:03:36.000Z

According to Cointelegraph, a second suspect in a high-profile crypto kidnapping case in New York City is expected to surrender to authorities. The individual, a Swiss crypto investor, allegedly collaborated with business partner Joel Woeltz in the kidnapping and torture of Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan. The incident reportedly took place in a Soho apartment, where Carturan was pressured to disclose his crypto wallet phrase. Reports from ABC7 New York indicate that the Swiss trader, whose identity remains undisclosed, plans to turn himself in within a week, although FOX5 New York suggests he may already be in custody. The New York Post identifies the suspect as the co-founder of a Swiss trading firm. Woeltz, dubbed the “crypto king of Kentucky,” faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and assault. He allegedly detained Carturan for 17 days. Italian-born Beatrice Folchi, Woeltz’s assistant, was also arrested but later released without charges. The arrests followed Carturan’s escape from the apartment on May 23, a day he was allegedly told would be his “death day.” CNN reported that Carturan agreed to reveal his crypto seed phrase stored on his laptop in another room. As Woeltz turned his back, Carturan seized the opportunity to flee. Videos shared by New York news outlets show Carturan running barefoot toward a traffic officer. Subsequently, police apprehended Woeltz at his Soho apartment, where he remains in custody, awaiting his next court appearance on May 28. Carturan, who arrived from Italy on May 6, recounted to police that he visited the Soho apartment to meet his “business partners.” He claimed his passport was taken, and he was tortured to divulge his crypto seed phrase. NBC New York reported Carturan’s estimated net worth at around $30 million. Police stated that Carturan was bound with electrical cords, electrocuted, and subjected to further torture, including having his feet tased while submerged in water and threatened with an electric chainsaw. A Polaroid allegedly depicting Carturan bound to a chair with a gun to his head was found by police. Carturan also claimed he was forced to smoke crack cocaine and was urinated on in the apartment, described by NBC New York as a “high-end frat house” with stripper poles and expensive liquor scattered throughout the five-story building. After escaping, Carturan received medical treatment at a hospital, as reported by the New York Post.

Menurut Cointelegraph, seorang tersangka kedua dalam kasus penculikan crypto yang terkenal di New York City diharapkan menyerahkan diri kepada pihak berwenang. Individu tersebut, seorang investor crypto Swiss, diduga bekerja sama dengan mitra bisnis Joel Woeltz dalam penculikan dan penyiksaan Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan. Insiden tersebut dilaporkan terjadi di apartemen Soho, di mana Carturan ditekan untuk mengungkapkan frase wallet crypto-nya. Laporan dari ABC7 New York menunjukkan bahwa trader Swiss, yang identitasnya tetap dirahasiakan, berencana untuk menyerahkan diri dalam waktu seminggu, meskipun FOX5 New York menunjukkan bahwa ia mungkin sudah dalam tahanan. New York Post mengidentifikasi tersangka sebagai salah satu pendiri perusahaan perdagangan Swiss.
Woeltz, dijuluki “raja crypto Kentucky,” menghadapi beberapa tuduhan, termasuk penculikan, penahanan ilegal, dan penyerangan. Ia diduga menahan Carturan selama 17 hari. Beatrice Folchi, asisten Woeltz yang lahir di Italia, juga ditangkap tetapi kemudian dibebaskan tanpa tuduhan. Penangkapan terjadi setelah pelarian Carturan dari apartemen pada 23 Mei, hari ketika ia diduga diberitahu bahwa itu akan menjadi “hari kematiannya.” CNN melaporkan bahwa Carturan setuju untuk mengungkapkan frase wallet crypto-nya yang disimpan di laptopnya di ruangan lain. Saat Woeltz membelakangi, Carturan mengambil kesempatan untuk melarikan diri. Video yang dibagikan oleh media New York menunjukkan Carturan berlari tanpa alas kaki menuju seorang petugas lalu lintas. Selanjutnya, polisi menangkap Woeltz di apartemen Soho-nya, di mana ia tetap dalam tahanan, menunggu penampilan di pengadilan berikutnya pada 28 Mei.
Carturan, yang tiba dari Italia pada 6 Mei, menceritakan kepada polisi bahwa ia mengunjungi apartemen Soho untuk bertemu dengan “mitra bisnisnya.” Ia mengklaim paspornya diambil, dan ia disiksa untuk mengungkapkan frase seed crypto-nya. NBC New York melaporkan perkiraan kekayaan bersih Carturan sekitar $30 juta. Polisi menyatakan bahwa Carturan diikat dengan kabel listrik, disetrum, dan mengalami penyiksaan lebih lanjut, termasuk kakinya disetrum saat terendam air dan diancam dengan gergaji listrik. Sebuah Polaroid yang diduga menggambarkan Carturan terikat di kursi dengan pistol di kepalanya ditemukan oleh polisi. Carturan juga mengklaim bahwa ia dipaksa untuk merokok crack cocaine dan dibiarkan berkemih di apartemen tersebut, yang digambarkan oleh NBC New York sebagai “rumah frat kelas atas” dengan tiang penari dan minuman mahal berserakan di seluruh bangunan lima lantai. Setelah melarikan diri, Carturan menerima perawatan medis di rumah sakit, seperti yang dilaporkan oleh New York Post.

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